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Chief of the Defence Staff speech - 15 December 2025
Air Chief Marshal, Sir Richard Knighton, Chief of the Defence Staff annual lecture at the Royal United Services Institute
tinyurl.com
In his annual RUSI lecture, chief of the defence staff Air Chief Marshall Sir Richard Knighton said the international situation is more dangerous than at any time in his career. www.gov.uk/government/s... 1.⬇️
Reposted by Smart Growth UK
“The government clearly has not learnt lessons from previous failed PFI projects that have cost taxpayers dearly and seems determined to press ahead (with the Lower Thames Crossing) regardless,” - @ecochris.bsky.social
www.constructionnews.co.uk/government/f...
www.constructionnews.co.uk/government/f...
‘Fully private’ Lower Thames Crossing completion date pushed back | Construction News
The Lower Thames Crossing will be fully sold to private investors and is not set to be completed until 2034, the government has revealed. It has also
www.constructionnews.co.uk
December 18, 2025 at 4:01 PM
“The government clearly has not learnt lessons from previous failed PFI projects that have cost taxpayers dearly and seems determined to press ahead (with the Lower Thames Crossing) regardless,” - @ecochris.bsky.social
www.constructionnews.co.uk/government/f...
www.constructionnews.co.uk/government/f...
BLOG Senior military figures are joining the chorus of those urging the Government to pay heed to the need for national resilience.
Yet Government policy goes on undermining #FoodSecurity, #WaterSecurity etc..
tinyurl.com/3t6w3faz #NEB2025
Yet Government policy goes on undermining #FoodSecurity, #WaterSecurity etc..
tinyurl.com/3t6w3faz #NEB2025
For whom the bell tolls… – Smart Growth UK
tinyurl.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:52 AM
BLOG Senior military figures are joining the chorus of those urging the Government to pay heed to the need for national resilience.
Yet Government policy goes on undermining #FoodSecurity, #WaterSecurity etc..
tinyurl.com/3t6w3faz #NEB2025
Yet Government policy goes on undermining #FoodSecurity, #WaterSecurity etc..
tinyurl.com/3t6w3faz #NEB2025
What is it about @hmtreasury and rail-based transit in the largest city in Europe that lacks it?
In 2004 they axed a scheme under construction, now it's further delays.
Yet it happily signs off on bogus business cases for major road schemes.
tinyurl.com/52j6e8sm
In 2004 they axed a scheme under construction, now it's further delays.
Yet it happily signs off on bogus business cases for major road schemes.
tinyurl.com/52j6e8sm
Leeds-Bradford £2.5bn tram plan delayed after government review
West Yorkshire's mayor says she is confident the trams will be running
tinyurl.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:50 AM
What is it about @hmtreasury and rail-based transit in the largest city in Europe that lacks it?
In 2004 they axed a scheme under construction, now it's further delays.
Yet it happily signs off on bogus business cases for major road schemes.
tinyurl.com/52j6e8sm
In 2004 they axed a scheme under construction, now it's further delays.
Yet it happily signs off on bogus business cases for major road schemes.
tinyurl.com/52j6e8sm
Reposted by Smart Growth UK
Lt General Richard Nugee CB CVO CBE, a recently retired senior army officer, explaining why the climate crisis threatens national security.
"We are facing the potential of 𝗮𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 unless Government takes this seriously"
Full talk: link below.
#NationalEmergencyBriefing #NEB2025
"We are facing the potential of 𝗮𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 unless Government takes this seriously"
Full talk: link below.
#NationalEmergencyBriefing #NEB2025
December 17, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Lt General Richard Nugee CB CVO CBE, a recently retired senior army officer, explaining why the climate crisis threatens national security.
"We are facing the potential of 𝗮𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 unless Government takes this seriously"
Full talk: link below.
#NationalEmergencyBriefing #NEB2025
"We are facing the potential of 𝗮𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 unless Government takes this seriously"
Full talk: link below.
#NationalEmergencyBriefing #NEB2025
Given the wholly bogus "business cases" the Government routinely uses to justify road building, using a "weak business case" to avoid major rail investment is ridiculous.
tinyurl.com/bds4jhfs
tinyurl.com/bds4jhfs
Government 'hesitancy' around Northern Powerhouse Rail due to 'weak business case'
The Government’s “hesitancy” around Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) is due to a “weak business case” and the ongoing Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), a new report has said.
tinyurl.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Given the wholly bogus "business cases" the Government routinely uses to justify road building, using a "weak business case" to avoid major rail investment is ridiculous.
tinyurl.com/bds4jhfs
tinyurl.com/bds4jhfs
Reposted by Smart Growth UK
🧑🍼 It's a... soil law! 🎉
Europe’s #SoilMonitoringLaw enters into force today – meaning that the EU's first ever soil law has a b-earth-day!
But dad jokes aside, the real test starts now.
Given the law’s high flexibility, serious impact will depend on ambitious implementation by Member States.
Europe’s #SoilMonitoringLaw enters into force today – meaning that the EU's first ever soil law has a b-earth-day!
But dad jokes aside, the real test starts now.
Given the law’s high flexibility, serious impact will depend on ambitious implementation by Member States.
December 16, 2025 at 8:39 AM
🧑🍼 It's a... soil law! 🎉
Europe’s #SoilMonitoringLaw enters into force today – meaning that the EU's first ever soil law has a b-earth-day!
But dad jokes aside, the real test starts now.
Given the law’s high flexibility, serious impact will depend on ambitious implementation by Member States.
Europe’s #SoilMonitoringLaw enters into force today – meaning that the EU's first ever soil law has a b-earth-day!
But dad jokes aside, the real test starts now.
Given the law’s high flexibility, serious impact will depend on ambitious implementation by Member States.
Reposted by Smart Growth UK
Top intensive care doctor Professor @hughmontgomery.bsky.social OBE speaking at the National Emergency Briefing.
"The climate emergency IS a health emergency, and it's about time we started treating it as one"
Link to full talk below.
#NEB2025 #TimeToStepUp #NationalEmergencyBriefing
"The climate emergency IS a health emergency, and it's about time we started treating it as one"
Link to full talk below.
#NEB2025 #TimeToStepUp #NationalEmergencyBriefing
December 15, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Top intensive care doctor Professor @hughmontgomery.bsky.social OBE speaking at the National Emergency Briefing.
"The climate emergency IS a health emergency, and it's about time we started treating it as one"
Link to full talk below.
#NEB2025 #TimeToStepUp #NationalEmergencyBriefing
"The climate emergency IS a health emergency, and it's about time we started treating it as one"
Link to full talk below.
#NEB2025 #TimeToStepUp #NationalEmergencyBriefing
In his annual RUSI lecture, chief of the defence staff Air Chief Marshall Sir Richard Knighton said the international situation is more dangerous than at any time in his career. www.gov.uk/government/s... 1.⬇️
Chief of the Defence Staff speech - 15 December 2025
Air Chief Marshal, Sir Richard Knighton, Chief of the Defence Staff annual lecture at the Royal United Services Institute
tinyurl.com
December 15, 2025 at 10:08 PM
In his annual RUSI lecture, chief of the defence staff Air Chief Marshall Sir Richard Knighton said the international situation is more dangerous than at any time in his career. www.gov.uk/government/s... 1.⬇️
Britain needs to develop “a whole of nation response” to deal with the growing military threat posed by Russia says the chief of the defence staff.
This means an urgent reversal of the recent, & proposed, destruction of the #planning system, whether the Treasury likes it or not.
tinyurl.com/ctja2ybk
This means an urgent reversal of the recent, & proposed, destruction of the #planning system, whether the Treasury likes it or not.
tinyurl.com/ctja2ybk
Britain caught in ‘space between peace and war’, says new head of MI6
Blaise Metreweli says world ‘more dangerous and contested now than for decades’ as AI and new technologies emerge
tinyurl.com
December 15, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Britain needs to develop “a whole of nation response” to deal with the growing military threat posed by Russia says the chief of the defence staff.
This means an urgent reversal of the recent, & proposed, destruction of the #planning system, whether the Treasury likes it or not.
tinyurl.com/ctja2ybk
This means an urgent reversal of the recent, & proposed, destruction of the #planning system, whether the Treasury likes it or not.
tinyurl.com/ctja2ybk
Reposted by Smart Growth UK
16 new inquiries from the Commons' Public Accounts Committee. Including environmental regulation, regulating for growth and unlocking land for housing. Should be a busy new year for consultation response writing with new NPPF as well...
committees.parliament.uk/committee/12...
committees.parliament.uk/committee/12...
December 15, 2025 at 9:23 AM
16 new inquiries from the Commons' Public Accounts Committee. Including environmental regulation, regulating for growth and unlocking land for housing. Should be a busy new year for consultation response writing with new NPPF as well...
committees.parliament.uk/committee/12...
committees.parliament.uk/committee/12...
Good to see one mainstream media outlet finally admitting that the attack on planning is driven by @hmtreasury and by @LabourGrowth, rather than by anybody who has any clue what's at stake.
It's time they were told a sustainable future is more important than fantasy economics.
tinyurl.com/2w43zxvb
It's time they were told a sustainable future is more important than fantasy economics.
tinyurl.com/2w43zxvb
Reeves’s planning overhaul stalls as senior adviser quits after four months
Exclusive: Catherine Howard’s exit comes amid disagreements at top of government about how far to push deregulation agenda
tinyurl.com
December 14, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Good to see one mainstream media outlet finally admitting that the attack on planning is driven by @hmtreasury and by @LabourGrowth, rather than by anybody who has any clue what's at stake.
It's time they were told a sustainable future is more important than fantasy economics.
tinyurl.com/2w43zxvb
It's time they were told a sustainable future is more important than fantasy economics.
tinyurl.com/2w43zxvb
Good to hear a local authority standing firm against Government plans to impose a massive sprawl development.
tinyurl.com/dnjvhxja
tinyurl.com/dnjvhxja
Cheshire East councillors vote unanimously to oppose Adlington New Town
Adlington New Town is a bad idea - and now Cheshire East Council has confirmed they agree and will oppose it. Find out how the council meeting progressed.
tinyurl.com
December 14, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Good to hear a local authority standing firm against Government plans to impose a massive sprawl development.
tinyurl.com/dnjvhxja
tinyurl.com/dnjvhxja
Reposted by Smart Growth UK
Professor Tim Lenton of @exeter.ac.uk with an incredibly important warning about the dire consequences for the UK if we continue burning fossil fuels and cause the #AMOC ocean current to cross a tipping point—which could happen at 2°C.
Full talk: link below.
#NEB2025 #FoodShortages
Full talk: link below.
#NEB2025 #FoodShortages
December 12, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Professor Tim Lenton of @exeter.ac.uk with an incredibly important warning about the dire consequences for the UK if we continue burning fossil fuels and cause the #AMOC ocean current to cross a tipping point—which could happen at 2°C.
Full talk: link below.
#NEB2025 #FoodShortages
Full talk: link below.
#NEB2025 #FoodShortages
"Special economic zones" - shorthand for areas where democratic governance is scrapped and which are run on behalf of multinational companies (including, now, Russian ones).
In the UK they're likely to be those promoting #CarDependentSprawl & #HGVDependentSprawl.
tinyurl.com/2y5273s7
In the UK they're likely to be those promoting #CarDependentSprawl & #HGVDependentSprawl.
tinyurl.com/2y5273s7
Zelensky says US wants 'special economic zone' in Ukraine's Donetsk region
Ukraine's president says territory and control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power remain unresolved issues in a peace plan.
tinyurl.com
December 12, 2025 at 9:18 AM
"Special economic zones" - shorthand for areas where democratic governance is scrapped and which are run on behalf of multinational companies (including, now, Russian ones).
In the UK they're likely to be those promoting #CarDependentSprawl & #HGVDependentSprawl.
tinyurl.com/2y5273s7
In the UK they're likely to be those promoting #CarDependentSprawl & #HGVDependentSprawl.
tinyurl.com/2y5273s7
Reposted by Smart Growth UK
Food expert @profpaulbehrens.bsky.social of @ox.ac.uk with a vital message for MPs & the public.
"If we don't lead this change on the front foot, we'll be forced into it anyway as food shocks intensify."
Full talk: www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
#NationalEmergencyBriefing #NEB2025 #FoodShortages
"If we don't lead this change on the front foot, we'll be forced into it anyway as food shocks intensify."
Full talk: www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
#NationalEmergencyBriefing #NEB2025 #FoodShortages
December 11, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Food expert @profpaulbehrens.bsky.social of @ox.ac.uk with a vital message for MPs & the public.
"If we don't lead this change on the front foot, we'll be forced into it anyway as food shocks intensify."
Full talk: www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
#NationalEmergencyBriefing #NEB2025 #FoodShortages
"If we don't lead this change on the front foot, we'll be forced into it anyway as food shocks intensify."
Full talk: www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
#NationalEmergencyBriefing #NEB2025 #FoodShortages
Reposted by Smart Growth UK
Warm words from the government promise to make walking, wheeling and cycling easier and safer.
But its new strategy fails to learn from the past, isn’t integrated with other government plans or priorities, and is underfunded.
Take action today 👇🏾
actionnetwork.org/letters/help...
But its new strategy fails to learn from the past, isn’t integrated with other government plans or priorities, and is underfunded.
Take action today 👇🏾
actionnetwork.org/letters/help...
December 10, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Warm words from the government promise to make walking, wheeling and cycling easier and safer.
But its new strategy fails to learn from the past, isn’t integrated with other government plans or priorities, and is underfunded.
Take action today 👇🏾
actionnetwork.org/letters/help...
But its new strategy fails to learn from the past, isn’t integrated with other government plans or priorities, and is underfunded.
Take action today 👇🏾
actionnetwork.org/letters/help...
Reposted by Smart Growth UK
Congratulations to the campaigners who fought to protect Waterstock’s rich wildlife and diverse ecosystems, landscape and cherished public footpaths for future generations, setting a precedent to protect more Green Belt land against the 'grey belt' definition 👏
www.cpreoxon.org.uk/news/victory...
www.cpreoxon.org.uk/news/victory...
“Victory for Common Sense” as Inspector Confirms Site is Not “Grey Belt”
Planning Inspector's decision sets a strong precedent for future applications in the Green Belt while campaigner celebrate their success
www.cpreoxon.org.uk
December 9, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Congratulations to the campaigners who fought to protect Waterstock’s rich wildlife and diverse ecosystems, landscape and cherished public footpaths for future generations, setting a precedent to protect more Green Belt land against the 'grey belt' definition 👏
www.cpreoxon.org.uk/news/victory...
www.cpreoxon.org.uk/news/victory...
"We are deeply alarmed by the scale of fossil-fuel-funded disinformation that has flooded Westminster and the media".
Likewise, many are alarmed by the scale of development sector disinformation which has also flooded them, undermining the planning & environmental protection we urgently need.
Likewise, many are alarmed by the scale of development sector disinformation which has also flooded them, undermining the planning & environmental protection we urgently need.
Olivia Williams's powerful reading of an open letter to Sir Keir Starmer and the national broadcasters calling for a televised emergency briefing. Full version here: www.youtube.com/@nebriefing
Please add your name: www.nebriefing.org/open-letter-...
#NEB2025 #TimeToStepUp
Please add your name: www.nebriefing.org/open-letter-...
#NEB2025 #TimeToStepUp
December 7, 2025 at 3:36 PM
"We are deeply alarmed by the scale of fossil-fuel-funded disinformation that has flooded Westminster and the media".
Likewise, many are alarmed by the scale of development sector disinformation which has also flooded them, undermining the planning & environmental protection we urgently need.
Likewise, many are alarmed by the scale of development sector disinformation which has also flooded them, undermining the planning & environmental protection we urgently need.
Reposted by Smart Growth UK
The National Emergency Briefing
chaired by Prof @mikebernerslee.bsky.social saw nine leading experts brief MPs and others on every aspect of the climate & nature crisis.
Please follow our YouTube channel where the talks will be published soon.
www.youtube.com/@nebriefing #NEB2025
chaired by Prof @mikebernerslee.bsky.social saw nine leading experts brief MPs and others on every aspect of the climate & nature crisis.
Please follow our YouTube channel where the talks will be published soon.
www.youtube.com/@nebriefing #NEB2025
December 7, 2025 at 8:36 AM
The National Emergency Briefing
chaired by Prof @mikebernerslee.bsky.social saw nine leading experts brief MPs and others on every aspect of the climate & nature crisis.
Please follow our YouTube channel where the talks will be published soon.
www.youtube.com/@nebriefing #NEB2025
chaired by Prof @mikebernerslee.bsky.social saw nine leading experts brief MPs and others on every aspect of the climate & nature crisis.
Please follow our YouTube channel where the talks will be published soon.
www.youtube.com/@nebriefing #NEB2025
Reposted by Smart Growth UK
Cut backs at the Environment Agency to save money end up costing a fortune as the environment gets casually trashed and there are too few people empowered to protect it.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Environment Agency faces landfill tax bill worth millions to clear illegal waste
Exclusive: ‘extremely unhelpful’ policy seen as deterrent to clearing thousands of dump sites across England
www.theguardian.com
December 6, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Cut backs at the Environment Agency to save money end up costing a fortune as the environment gets casually trashed and there are too few people empowered to protect it.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Smart Growth UK
Our friends at @innovativedot.bsky.social are hiring a Transportation Partnership Specialist !
Help strengthen their network of state transportation leaders and help advance safer, cleaner, and more connected communities.
More details and how to apply ⤵️
ssti.us/join-our-team/
Help strengthen their network of state transportation leaders and help advance safer, cleaner, and more connected communities.
More details and how to apply ⤵️
ssti.us/join-our-team/
Join Our Team
The State Smart Transportation Initiative (SSTI) is seeking a Transportation Partnership Specialist to strengthen our national network of state transportation leaders and help advance safer, cleaner, ...
ssti.us
December 4, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Our friends at @innovativedot.bsky.social are hiring a Transportation Partnership Specialist !
Help strengthen their network of state transportation leaders and help advance safer, cleaner, and more connected communities.
More details and how to apply ⤵️
ssti.us/join-our-team/
Help strengthen their network of state transportation leaders and help advance safer, cleaner, and more connected communities.
More details and how to apply ⤵️
ssti.us/join-our-team/
Reposted by Smart Growth UK
Upgrading Ely junction would be a massive boost for rail freight, removing tens of thousands of lorry journeys from roads, and improving passenger trips too.
Just the sort of project the Government should support, to boost the economy sustainably.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Just the sort of project the Government should support, to boost the economy sustainably.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Ely railway junction upgrade project discussed in Parliament
Upgrades to a major railway junction are discussed in Parliament, but no funding commitment is made.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Upgrading Ely junction would be a massive boost for rail freight, removing tens of thousands of lorry journeys from roads, and improving passenger trips too.
Just the sort of project the Government should support, to boost the economy sustainably.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Just the sort of project the Government should support, to boost the economy sustainably.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Smart Growth UK
“Three of the five worst harvests on record have now occurred since 2020, leaving some farmers asking whether the growing impacts of the climate crisis are making it too financially risky to sow their crops. Farmers are already facing heavy financial pressure.”
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
UK farmers lose £800m after heat and drought cause one of worst harvests on record
Many now concerned about ability to make living in fast-changing climate after one of worst grain harvests recorded
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:16 AM
“Three of the five worst harvests on record have now occurred since 2020, leaving some farmers asking whether the growing impacts of the climate crisis are making it too financially risky to sow their crops. Farmers are already facing heavy financial pressure.”
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Smart Growth UK
Around 2009/10, opponents said London was too hilly, too wet and too old to invest in better streets for cycling. No one would cycle and apparently there wasn’t a “cycling culture”.
Those are the argument we now hear in #Edinburgh.
But London build it. Did they come? Oh yes….
Those are the argument we now hear in #Edinburgh.
But London build it. Did they come? Oh yes….
May 15, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Around 2009/10, opponents said London was too hilly, too wet and too old to invest in better streets for cycling. No one would cycle and apparently there wasn’t a “cycling culture”.
Those are the argument we now hear in #Edinburgh.
But London build it. Did they come? Oh yes….
Those are the argument we now hear in #Edinburgh.
But London build it. Did they come? Oh yes….
Reposted by Smart Growth UK
Thank you to @wedonthavetime.bsky.social for this excellent resource: a series of powerful interviews with the experts and influential attendees at the National Emergency Briefing last Thursday. #NEB2025 #ClimateCrisis
www.wedonthavetime.org/events/natio...
www.wedonthavetime.org/events/natio...
National Emergency Briefing – Nov 27, 2025–Nov 27, 2025
The first-ever National Climate Briefing in the UK — and one of the first of its kind globally
www.wedonthavetime.org
December 3, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Thank you to @wedonthavetime.bsky.social for this excellent resource: a series of powerful interviews with the experts and influential attendees at the National Emergency Briefing last Thursday. #NEB2025 #ClimateCrisis
www.wedonthavetime.org/events/natio...
www.wedonthavetime.org/events/natio...