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 21 August 2008 21:10 BST

Brown unveils Britain's first national security strategy

Wednesday, 19 Mar 2008 20:05
Plans to deal with terrorism were announced
Prime minister Gordon Brown has unveiled plans to deal with threats to national security including terrorism, climate change, disease and poverty.

Addressing MPs in the House of Commons today, Mr Brown said that the nature of threats faced by the people of Britain had changed "beyond all recognition".

As part of the National Security Strategy the national register of the risks should be made available to the public, the prime minister announced.

Mr Brown also said that the British security service would double in size to 4,000 personnel.

He added that resources for the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre - which brings together 16 departments including police and intelligence agencies - would rise by ten per cent.

The prime minister also pledged that Britain would lead the campaign to reduce nuclear weapons worldwide.

"Britain will be at the forefront of diplomatic action on nuclear weapons control and reduction, offering a new bargain to non-nuclear powers," he told MPs.

Mr Brown also announced that four regional counter-terrorism units and four regional intelligence units would be set up to work with the police.

"Our new approach to security also means improved local resilience against emergencies, building and strengthening local capacity to respond effectively in a range of circumstances from floods to possible terrorism incidents," he said.

"Not the old cold war idea of civil defence but a new form of civil protection that combines expert preparedness for potential emergencies with greater local engagement of individuals and families themselves."

Conservative leader David Cameron however rejected the prime minister's Commons statement claiming that it "sounded more like a list than a strategy".

Another initiative launched by Mr Brown was the increased retention bonuses for military personnel, of up to £15,000, and a new £20 million fund to help members of the armed forces purchase homes.

Defence secretary Des Browne claimed in a statement that the government was determined to show its commitment to the armed forces.End of story


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