The UK has inadequate means to stop ballistic missiles fired from Iran, military experts have warned – although they also voiced doubts over Iran’s capability and its desire to carry out such a strike.
British defences lack the ability to shoot down ballistic missiles, they have claimed, and the systems that they do have are out at sea, and in numbers too small to be fully effective.
The base on the Chagos Islands is 3,800km (2,360 miles) away from Iran, further than previous estimates on the range of Iran’s missiles.
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On Sunday morning, senior government minister Steve Reed stressed that Britain was safe, as he called Israel’s threat exaggerated and an attempt to garner support for the war. Hours later, a Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesperson doubled down on Mr Reed’s comments, stating that the country had the resources to “keep the United Kingdom safe from any kind of attacks”.
However, some military experts have suggested that Britain could be left vulnerable if Iran did have the capacity to strike.
Professor Michael Clarke, who was director general of the Royal United Services Institute think tank, told The Independent: “Could Britain defend itself against ballistic missiles coming from anywhere, whether it’s Russia or Iran? The answer is absolutely no. We have nothing.”
The UK has six Type 45 destroyers (UK MOD Crown copyright)
The only line of defence the UK had was its Sea Viper systems, he said, which are carried on the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers and can counter ballistic missiles. One of the six destroyers, the HMS Dragon, has been ordered to Cyprus, while three others are in port and are effectively non-operational, Mr Clarke added.
However, Britain, as a member of Nato, is protected by the organisation’s Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system, which includes sites in Poland and Romania. It also features four US Navy destroyers, which are better equipped than the Type 45 destroyers and can intercept the missiles.
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Matthew Savill, director of military sciences at the Rusi think tank, told The Times: “If launched towards the UK, this is what Nato’s BMD is designed for. The UK isn’t actually defenceless against a threat launched from Iran.”
Speaking on Sky News’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme, Mr Reed said: “We have systems and defences in place that keep the United Kingdom safe, and that will continue to happen.”
The housing minister refused to say how close Iranian missiles had come to Diego Garcia, but said the fact that one was intercepted and the other failed shows “that our defensive capabilities are correct”.
Britain could be unable to defend itself against an attack from Iran, experts have said (AFP/Getty)
Mr Clarke also said he was doubtful Iran had the missile range to reach the UK. “I’m not sure they could have reached Diego Garcia. We don’t know. The fact that they tried, it may have been just a political gesture,” he said.
Retired Brigadier Ben Barry, who was formerly a Nato commander and director of the British Army Staff, described the UK’s defence system as “not adequate” against the threat of weapons such as ballistic missiles, if they reached the country.
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He told The Independent: “UK’s ability to counter ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones, is not adequate to protect the UK homeland, and it’s not clear that it’s adequate to protect UK troops deployed overseas where there’s a considerable threat.
Diego Garcia was targeted by Iran this week (DOD/AFP via Getty Images)
“If an enemy had ballistic missiles that were capable of reaching the UK, just having three ships would mean protection was pretty minimal. One could sit in the Thames covering London, but there’d be hard choices about what to do with the other two.”
Mr Barry, now a member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said that if Iran were to attack the UK, the defence force would have “the option of attempting to attack missile launchers. But to do that, it would effectively have to join the war along with the US and Israel. So far, the UK has said it supports only defensive action in the conflict.
“You could argue that it would be preemptive self defence, but in practice, to coordinate RAF aircraft looking for missile launches with Israeli and US aircraft, it would be very risky to do that unilaterally,” he said.
The Ministry of Defence said it has the resources available to defend Britain (PA Wire)
An MoD spokesperson said: “We have the resources we need to keep the United Kingdom safe from any kind of attacks, whether it’s on our soil or from abroad. The UK stands ready 24/7 to defend itself.
“The UK operates a layered approach to air and missile defence, provided by Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force assets equipped with a range of advanced capabilities, working in tandem with our Nato allies.
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“This government has prioritised the need for air and missile defence for UK national security after years of underfunding, and that is why last June, following recommendations in the Strategic Defence Review, we announced up to £1bn in new funding to improve air and missile defence and keep the UK secure.
“This includes a new £118m contract announced last year to deliver six state-of-the-art Land Ceptor missile systems, which as part of the Sky Sabre system can hit a tennis ball-sized object travelling at twice the speed of sound.”
Police and ambulances are at Sheddocksley Woods on Sunday afternoon.
18:33, 12 Apr 2026Updated 18:42, 12 Apr 2026
Police have taped off a woods in Aberdeen amid an ongoing incident with multiple emergency services in attendance.
A major police presence is at the scene at Sheddocksley Woods in the city with uniformed officers standing guard. A large area has also been cordoned off by the force.
Images show several police vehicles in attendance with ambulances also parked up on a nearby street on Sunday afternoon (April 12).
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It’s currently unknown what the nature of the incident is but locals have reported that officers have been knocking on doors in the area for information.
A witness also told the Record that emergency services have been at the scene for the last few hours.
Police Scotland has been contacted for comment.
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Even a small shift in your routine can have a big impact on energy levels and overall wellbeing.
Many of us spend the winter tucked inside and moving less than we should.
Now is the perfect time to change that without feeling like it is a chore. One simple approach is to add short walks into your day.
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You do not need hours of exercise. Even 10 to 15 minutes in the fresh air can lift your mood and get your body moving.
Try planning a walk at the same time each day. Whether it is first thing in the morning, during lunch, or after work, having a set routine makes it easier to stick to.
If possible, walk somewhere with green space. Nature has a calming effect and can make the walk feel less like exercise and more like a chance to enjoy yourself.
Another way to use longer days is to break up periods of sitting.
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Stretch your arms above your head, rotate your shoulders, or take a few steps around the house or garden every hour. These small movements keep your joints moving and prevent stiffness.
You can also combine everyday tasks with movement. Carry your shopping a little further, take the stairs instead of lifts, or park further away when you go out.
These small choices add up and use the extra daylight effectively.
If you like structured exercise, consider moving some of it outdoors. A gentle jog, cycling, or even a bodyweight session in the garden can feel easier when there is daylight around you.
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Being outside gives vitamin D, which is important for bones, mood and energy.
The key is to enjoy movement rather than treat it as a chore. The extra daylight is an opportunity to try new things, explore local paths, and get your body used to more activity without overthinking it.
Start small, aim for consistency, and gradually increase your time outside.
Even if you have been less active over the winter, now is a perfect chance to start again.
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Focus on small wins, enjoy the fresh air, and let the longer days work in your favour.
Jeremy Kimmel, arts, heritage and engagement director at The Amelia Scott, said: “Royal Tunbridge Wells has been shaped by centuries of royal connections, from the first royal visit in the early 1600s to what was then just woodland, to becoming the favourite summer retreat of Princess Victoria.”
The La Scala restaurant, located at 49 Chorley Road, has stood empty since the restaurant closed in April 2025.
The latest application proposes creating 15 office units within the property, with eight offices on the ground floor and seven on the first floor.
The plans also include two kitchenette facilities and toilet facilities.
Plans show the layout of the offices (Image: Bolton Council)
A previous scheme, submitted in October 2025, sought to transform the ground floor into a convenience store and convert the upper floor into a series of office suites.
Bolton Council refused the earlier application because the design, bulk, siting and materials would appear “overly dominant and incongruous,” harming both the character of the existing building and the surrounding street scene.
Planning officers also highlighted the importance of the building itself, describing its red-brick façade as “attractive” and noting that it serves as a “landmark” with “high status” in the area.
The new application has again been submitted by the owner of the property, Mr Holden.
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According to planning documents, the site is currently classified as a Class E(b) restaurant, with an external car park, and has operated in this capacity for more than 25 years.
Before that, the building functioned as a public house with accommodation above.
The proposal would retain the property within the same broad use class, Class E, meaning significant structural alterations are not expected to be required.
The Man Who Paints Football is the debut publication of artist Paul Town and features more than 100 artworks of grounds past and present.
Among the stadiums featured is Bolton Wanderers’ former home, which has been immortalised in paintings inspired by Mr Town’s childhood fascination with the sport.
Paul Town said: “My love for football, and in particular my love for football grounds, began as a young child.
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“The bus journey to my grandparents’ home would take me past the decaying ground of the then-defunct football club Bradford (Park Avenue), and I would hastily wipe the condensation from the bus window to get a clearer view of the wonderful floodlights rising above the rooftops of the local houses.
“As a child, I’d spend hours creating drawings that were all inspired by football grounds”.
The book, published by Heritage Unlocked, includes a foreword by sports commentator John Helm and explores stadiums across the UK and beyond, from Hampden Park and Highbury to Wembley and more.
Burnden Park holds a special place in Mr Town’s work.
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He said: “The artwork of Burnden Park featured in the book shows John McGinlay en route to scoring a hat-trick in a famous 6-1 win for the Trotters over Spurs in the 1996/97 season – the club’s last season at the famous old ground steeped in history.”
Mr Town’s connection to football is deeply personal.
He was present at the Bradford City fire in 1985 that claimed 56 lives and led to major changes in stadium safety across the UK.
His work has been exhibited nationwide, including at Hampden Park in Scotland as part of his ‘Hampden Trilogy’ series, and is also on display at football grounds across the country.
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Mr Town’s art has been reproduced in several books.
The Man Who Paints Football is priced at £19.99 and is available from bookshops, galleries, online retailers, and directly from the publisher at www.heritageunlocked.com/shop/themanwhopaintsfootball.
A force spokesperson said it followed officers responding to several reports of small fires being set around the town on Friday evening.
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They said on Saturday that North Yorkshire Police had worked with North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service to “locate and extinguish the fires quickly, while also making efforts to identify the individuals responsible”.
The police spokesperson urged parents and carers to “please speak with their children about the dangers and consequences of this behaviour”.
“Setting fires, even small ones, poses significant risk to people, property, and the wider community,” they said. “It also diverts emergency services away from other priority incidents, where someone may urgently need our help.”
The spokesperson said North Yorkshire Police would be increasing patrols in the “affected areas over the coming days to provide reassurance and to deter any further incidents”.
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They asked anyone with information about the fires to report it to police on 101.
Philip Lee Owen, 41, of Diggle Street, Wigan, faces multiple charges.
These include three counts of false imprisonment, threats to kill, two counts of child neglect, aggravated burglary and sending a communication threatening death or serious harm.
On Friday, Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker said: “Following this challenging incident, I can confirm the individual has been detained by our officers, and those involved have been safely secured and protected.
“I want to commend the bravery and professionalism of our officers and thank the public for their patience and cooperation while we worked to bring this situation to a safe conclusion.”
Owen has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates’ Court on Monday (April 13).
Large parts of the street were locked down for several hours following the incident, which also included the attendance of armed police.
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Residents were not allowed to leave their homes as around 17 police vehicles – including armed police – took over the street.
Dicconson Lane connects Westhoughton and Blackrod to Aspull and Wigan.
A police car with two officers inside remained parked outside the house in question for much of Friday.
The US president announced on Sunday that America and “other countries” will stop ships coming in and out of the vital waterway.
Around one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquid gas supply usually passes through the key shipping lane.
But it has been effectively closed since the start of the war, with Iran targeting tankers which try to sail through it unless they agree to pay a toll.
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In a post on Truth Social, Trump said: “The Blockade will begin shortly. Other Countries will be involved with this Blockade.
“Iran will not be allowed to profit off this Illegal Act of EXTORTION. They want money and, more importantly, they want Nuclear. Additionally and, at an appropriate moment, we are fully “LOCKED AND LOADED,” and our Military will finish up the little that is left of Iran!”
However, it is understood the UK will not be part of the US effort, although British mine hunters are already in the area.
A government spokesperson would only say: “We continue to support freedom of navigation and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, which is urgently needed to support the global economy and the cost of living back home.
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“The Strait of Hormuz must not be subject to tolling. We are urgently working with France and other partners to put together a wide coalition to protect freedom of navigation.”
Meanwhile, Trump used an interview with Fox News on Sunday to once again compare Keir Starmer to Hitler-appeasing 1930s prime minister Neville Chamberlain.
He said: “Nato is shameful. I mean, look at the United Kingdom.
“PM Starmer said ‘we’ll send the equipment after the war is over’. I said ‘you don’t need equipment when the war is over. You need the equipment before the war starts, or during the war’.
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“He made a public statement that ‘we will send equipment after the war is over’, that’s a Neville Chamberlain statement.”
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said: “The UK should be working with other countries to get the US and Iran back to the negotiating table, not fanning the flames of war.
“It’s just days since Trump threatened to destroy a whole civilisation, and a return to war would be disastrous. The prime minister needs to work in lock-step with our reliable partners to secure a diplomatic end to this crisis.”
Subscribe to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.
The major retailer has announced around 700 Wash.ME self‑service laundry machines will be installed at its Supercentres, Superstores, supermarkets and Express sites in May, following a partnership with ME Group International.
Each washing machine unit will offer large‑capacity 9kg and 20kg drums, energy‑efficient cycles and high‑speed drying.
This means everything from everyday laundry to larger household loads such as duvets can be accommodated.
Even better, the washing machines are designed to allow customers to wash while they shop in a “quick, convenient and great‑value way”.
Discussing the partnership, one shopper on Reddit has said it is “great news” as they have “used them before and are much better than your standard household washing machine”.
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Another said the Wash.ME units “can be useful when you have issues with your own”.
They added: “My washing machine wasn’t spinning so had a basket full of soaking wet clothes that would’ve made my flat super damp.
“These things came to the rescue.”
Someone else shared: “They’re particularly handy for bulky bedding”.
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Joseph Sutton, Vice President of Asda Express, foodservice and fuel, commented: “We’re always looking for new ways to make life easier for the customers who shop with us, particularly by strengthening the breadth of services that meet their needs under one roof.
“This large‑scale rollout of Wash.ME units gives customers a quick, convenient and great‑value way to tackle their laundry while they shop.
“We’re pleased to be working with ME Group on this significant partnership and look forward to seeing the benefits it brings to customers across the UK.”
In total, there are currently more than 1,000 Wash.ME launderettes installed around Britain, which can be found in the car park of your local supermarket, petrol station or shopping centre.
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To find the nearest Wash.ME unit near you, enter your postcode on the company’s official website.
How much will Wash.ME washing machines cost at Asda?
For those wondering how much the units could cost to use, Wash.ME explains: “Prices vary depending on the machine used.
“The cost of a wash cycle in our laundrettes will cost you between £5.50 (8-9 kg) and £11 (18-20 kg), including detergent.
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“As options, you can opt for pre-wash, softener, disinfectant, disinfectant fabric softener in addition to your regular wash.”
Vladimir Crasneanscki, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of ME Group, said: “Asda is a perfect company to partner with, their retail and petrol stations are excellent locations for our services and their innovative and fast paced approach will enable us to deploy our units rapidly.
“We are delighted to announce this partnership; this is the largest single client deal in the history of our laundry division and demonstrates the growing demand for our services.”
Have you used Wash.ME before? (Image: Asda)
Asda confirms it is not axing in-store pizza counters at 464 locations
Elsewhere, Asda has given an update to customers regarding the rumoured axing of the popular pizza counters in stores, following a viral post on X.
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The ‘create your own’ pizza counters have long been a standout feature at the supermarket, allowing foodies to choose a base, sauce and toppings.
Prices start at £3.33 for a medium size and rise to £4.93 for the large option, and have often earned praise for their affordability.
But some customers were concerned that Asda was planning to close down its pizza counters over the past few days, following a recent social media post that blew up online.
Going to need @asda to confirm or deny the rumours that the create your own pizza counters are going from all stores
It comes as someone shared: “Going to need @asda to confirm or deny the rumours that the create your own pizza counters are going from all stores.”
The post has since gained more than 911,000 views, creating a lot of stir on X.
However, pizza lovers will be delighted to know that an Asda spokesperson has confirmed they have no plans to remove the pizza counters from any stores.
They said: “We know how much our customers love our pizza counters, and they can be reassured that freshly made pizzas will continue to be available in all 464 of our stores as usual.”
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Will you be using the new Wash.ME machines at Asda, or will you just be sticking to using the pizza counters? Let us know in the comments below.
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