Today’s defence-related news includes coverage of the Defence Secretary’s announcement that there will be 150 new army cadets units in state schools.
Cadet Units
There has been widespread coverage following the Defence Secretary’s announcement at the Conservative Party Conference that there will be 150 new army cadets units in state schools, with the first launched at the Birmingham school that found itself at the centre of the 'Trojan horse' row. Defence Secretary Michael Fallon visited the school to present pupils with their new berets and cap badge. Mr Fallon also confirmed that a further 25 cadet units would be launched this week.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:
These new school units will help young people to get on in life, raising their aspirations and motivating them to succeed in their education. With the schools approved today focused in areas of high deprivation, this is part of our plan to build a country that works for everyone.
Derogation from ECHR
The Prime Minister and Defence Secretary announced plans to protect British Armed Forces from persistent legal claims by introducing a presumption to derogate from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in future conflicts. This was reported widely, including coverage in the Daily Telegraph.
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said:
Our legal system has been abused to level false charges against our troops on an industrial scale.
It has caused significant distress to people who risked their lives to protect us, it has cost the taxpayer millions and there is a real risk it will stop our Armed Forces doing their job.
This will help to protect our troops from vexatious claims, ensuring they can confidently take difficult decisions on the battlefield. And it will enable us to spend more of our growing defence budget on equipment for them rather than fees for lawyers.
Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach said:
Extending the jurisdiction of the European Convention on Human Rights to the battlefield risks seriously undermining the operational effectiveness of UK Armed Forces, so this important announcement is very welcome.
Our Armed Forces will continue to be held to the very highest standards. UK personnel will always be subject to the Law of Armed Conflict - which includes the Geneva Conventions - and to UK Service law - which includes the criminal law of England & Wales.
Credible allegations of criminal behaviour will always be investigated properly, so the work of the Iraq Historic Allegations Team (IHAT) and Operation Northmoor will continue. Those who have been the subject of false allegations will be cleared. But the Service justice system will deal appropriately with anyone who has fallen short of expected professional standards.
I am determined that the Armed Forces should have the confidence and tools to do their jobs effectively on operations, free from the burden of excessive litigation.
Historic allegations
The Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail report that the head of the Army General Sir Nick Carter is seeking a review into historic investigations involving soldiers from campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan.
An Army spokesperson said:
Chief of General Staff cares deeply about his people. He is acutely conscious of how distressing it is for individuals to be the subject of allegations and investigations, particularly if such investigations require them to ‘relive’ traumatic experiences. They all deserve our care and support.
He has written to the Army’s chain of command to emphasise the critical importance of supporting soldiers and veterans who are under investigation.
Successor Submarines
The Daily Mirror reports that a French firm has won the contract to supply steel for the hulls of Britain’s new Trident Submarines. The MOD response was carried in the piece, stating that the Successor programme represents billions of pounds of investment in thousands of British jobs across hundreds of firms from Scotland to the South East. We source British steel where possible but there was no viable UK bid for this part of the build because no British firm produces the specialised steel needed. We are in an early stage of the programme but there will be British steel in the new submarines and further opportunities for UK suppliers to bid. Read more about the Successor programme here.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon visited a Birmingham school as it launched its new Combined Cadet Force Unit.
Rockwood Academy, run by CORE Education Trust, has become one of the latest schools to join the Cadet Expansion Programme (CEP).
CEP was first launched in June 2012 by the Coalition Government with the aim to deliver 100 new cadet units in English state-funded schools by September 2015.
The Government has now committed to grow the total number of cadet units in schools across the UK to 500 by 2020.
This second phase of expansion sees priority being given to schools in less affluent areas and in areas where there is currently limited access to the cadet experience.