The UK Government has made significant progress in reducing the global threat from terrorist use of dangerous nuclear, radiological, biological and chemical materials and expertise, according to a report.
This follows the announcement by the Prime Minister of continued support for the renewal of the G8 Global Partnership beyond 2012 with an increased focus on nuclear and biological security.
The Annual Report on the UK’s Global Threat Reduction Programme, which forms a core part of the UK’s counter-proliferation strategy, details the work that is being done to prevent the spread of weapons and materials of mass destruction.
Lord Hunt, Minister of State for Energy said:
"We must do all we can to secure nuclear, radiological, chemical and biological materials to ensure that they do not threaten global security.
"I’m pleased we’re making substantial progress with this crucial work in Russia and the Former Soviet Union."
Bill Rammell, Minister of State for the Armed Forces said:
"The Ministry of Defence has now virtually completed its programme of assistance to Russia with Chemical Weapons Destruction. I am pleased that this important cross-Government programme is continuing to deliver impressive results and improve our national security."
Ivan Lewis, Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office said:
"Counter-proliferation plays an important part of UK work overseas to secure a safer world. The Global Threat Reduction Programme has been very successful over past years by undertaking work in a number of countries to reduce the threats we face from weapons and materials of mass destruction. I look forward to the continued success of the GTRP and its efforts globally to reduce the threat."
Highlights from the report include:
• A doubling of the UK’s contribution to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Nuclear Security Fund to £4m – supporting high priority nuclear security infrastructure improvement projects and training activities.
• Completion of the UK assistance programme at the chemical weapons destruction facility at Shchuch’ye in Russia, where more than 1100 tonnes of lethal nerve agent has been destroyed.
• Completion, in partnership with Norway, of the UK’s fourth and final nuclear submarine dismantlement in North West Russia
• Creation of more than 1300 jobs for former Soviet nuclear weapons scientists and support personnel in business and manufacturing
The UK Global Threat Reduction Programme 2009 Annual Report is available online at –
