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GDAMS 2024 statement

At the start of the Global Days of Action on Military Spending, the below statement has been released by international organisers. You can also download it as a PDF here. Disarmament now to save people and planet Humanity is at a crossroads where political decisions on defence budgets will determine the trajectory of the multiple …

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GCOMS UK response to Sir Keir Starmer

On Friday 12 April Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer visited Barrow-in-Furness to give his support to the new generation of nuclear submarines being developed in the town. He also pledged to match the current Conservative spending commitments on the military, which would see an increase to 2.5% of GDP – well about the NATO target …

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Spring budget 24: Military spending continues to grow at the expense of climate funds and overseas aid

Dr Stuart Parkinson is Co-chair of the UK branch of the Global Campaign on Military Spending (GCOMS-UK) and Executive Director of Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR). Summary In the Chancellor’s Spring Budget, the UK’s core military spending rose to £54.2bn this financial year (2023-24), following the large multi-year budget increases announced in 2020 and 2023. This means …

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GCOMS UK AGM 2024

The AGM for the Global Campaign on Military Spending in the UK will take place on Tuesday 30 January 2024 and focus on military emissions and the climate crisis. The meeting will be joined by Deborah Burton, Co-Founder of Tipping Point North South, who was at the COP 28 meetings in the UAE in December …

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How does the autumn statement affect military spending?

Summary In the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, he confirmed that there had been a major rise – of 15% – in the UK’s core military spending last financial year. However, there are signs that the government’s enthusiasm for further growth is on the wane. In more depth The Autumn Statement 2023 (AS23)[i] revealed that the UK’s core …

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Introducing the new GCOMS UK Co-ordinator

Introducing Russell Whiting, the new GCOMS UK Co-ordinator. I’m delighted to be taking up this role at what is such a crucial time for our campaign to divert money away from military spending into socially productive areas. The climate crisis is raging around the world, and as leaders prepare to gather for the latest COP summit there is …

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Recruiting: GCOMS UK Co-ordinator

lithograph image of worker holding aloft a broken missile. Captioned 'Jobs not Bombs'

GCOMS UK is seeking a paid Coordinator (freelance) to bring together its various activities. Hours: 13 hours/week Remuneration: £25/hr Duration: 3 years (already part-funded as of April 2023). Location: Working remotely GCOMS is an international campaigning organisation that works to challenge the priority given by governments to military spending rather than environmental and social programmes. …

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Military spending boosted more than health, education, environment or overseas aid

This short briefing examines UK government spending presented by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, in his Spring Budget 2023 (SB-23).i Summary The detailed figures for SB-23 show that UK military spending over the period 2021-25 has been boosted by £7.1 billion when compared with budget figures announced in last autumn. This includes an …

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Eight reasons why we shouldn’t increase UK military spending

Image of F35-B lightning jets on the HMS Queen Elizabeth

The UK government is considering increasing its military budget in the wake of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia. It claims that the range of military threats now faced by Britain are greater than those it identified in a 2021 government review. Below are eight reasons why we think the UK’s military budget should …

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GCOMS Budget Briefing on the Autumn Statement

31/10/2022. London, United Kingdom. The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak meets with the Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt to discuss the upcoming fiscal event in the Cabinet Room in 10 Downing Street. Picture by Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street

This short briefing examines UK government spending presented by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, in his Autumn Statement 2022 (AS-22). Summary Probably the main story of AS-22 – in terms of military spending – is that there isn’t actually a great deal to report. Despite the bluster of the Truss government’s promise to …

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