The British government continues to ignore public concerns over the return of US nuclear weapons to Britain.

In an answer to a recent question over what protocols are in place for the deployment of US nuclear weapons stored at RAF Lakenheath, defence minister Luke Pollard parroted the long-standing refrain: “It remains longstanding UK and NATO policy to neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons at any given location.”

This latest fob off comes despite growing evidence that they are on their way!

On 16 January 2025, Jill Hruby of the US National Nuclear Security Administration stated that “[t]he new B61-12 gravity bombs are fully forward deployed...” These bombs, which are three times more destructive than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945, are reportedly now being stationed at NATO bases across Western Europe, including potentially RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk.

The deployment of these bombs in Britain makes us a target in any potential nuclear conflict. CND has already written to the Prime Minister asking for him to make a statement. Despite this, the government refuses to come clean about the deployments. That's why we need your help raising this issue with your local MP and raising awareness among your friends, family, and other networks.

Use our lobby tool, which is a model email you can send directly to your MP that raises these concerns and urges them to call on the government to make a statement on the status of US nuclear weapons in Britain.

Write to your MP

CND is also organising an webinar to discuss this lack of debate or public consultation on 12 February. Join us to learn more about what's going on and discuss the next steps for our campaign to stop US nuclear weapons from returning to Britain.

Wednesday, 12 February 2025
7:00-8:30pm
Online, register here

Speakers include Ludo De Brabander, from Belgian peace organisation Vrede vzw, latest information will be posted to our event page here.

A wake up call for the world: Doomsday Clock moved closer to midnight

Yesterday, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists moved the hands of the Doomsday Clock forward by one second. It now stands at 89 seconds to midnight - the closest we have been to a human-made catastrophe since the clock's inception.

The modernisation and growth of nuclear arsenals, a complete disregard for disarmament treaties, and continued tensions due to the war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East were key factors in the decision to set the clock at 89 seconds.

The announcement comes as polling by You Gov, found that 62% of the British public think that nuclear war would be the most likely cause of human extinction – an increase of 19% since 2022.

You can read CND's summary and response to the announcement here, and watch CND General Secretary Sophie Bolt's response on Twitter/X, IG, and Facebook.

With more and more people seized of the threat of nuclear weapons, you can help strengthen our movement for a nuclear-free future. Become a member today.