Sophie Bolt of CND condemns UK nuclear weapons spending

Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) General Secretary Sophie Bolt said that the United Kingdom’s plan to spend billions of pounds on nuclear weapons does not enhance safety. She argued that replacing nuclear submarines and purchasing US‑made F‑35A nuclear‑capable fighter jets raises the risk of nuclear use.

Bolt criticised the government’s policy of allowing foreign use of British bases such as RAF Fairford, saying it makes the sites targets and cites the continued use of the base by former US President Trump for operations against Iran. She also rejected the claim that higher defence spending will revive the economy, noting that the Defence Investment Plan cuts jobs in health, transport and education, which could increase social deprivation.

The CND leader warned that under‑funding of the National Health Service and a lack of preparation for climate‑driven heatwaves are already causing deaths. She called for a shift toward diplomacy, the scrapping of nuclear weapons, reduced military spending, and a re‑allocation of funds to hospitals, schools and climate‑change mitigation.