Britain’s defence sector at risk from energy crisis

The Independent's Morning Headlines email [View online]( October 12, 2021 [Morning Headlines]( 1 / [Britain’s defence sector at risk from energy crisis]( The UK could be forced to rely on other nations for key nuclear and defence components unless ministers offer heavy industry an energy bailout, The Independent has learnt. Without fresh funds factories could be forced to halt production of critical inputs such as high-tech ceramic coatings, steel components and bespoke glassware, according to government and industry sources. Such products are used in a range of high security environments, including nuclear reactors, laboratories, ships and submarines. Britain would be forced to seek many of these inputs from overseas if these domestic companies fail, according to industry and government sources. This could breach some departmental procurement rules and the government’s aims laid out in its Integrated Review. The review pledged to “strengthen the resilience of our critical supply chains” so that the UK can engage with China “with confidence”. 2 / [Early Covid response amounted in practice to herd immunity push, landmark MPs' report finds]( Government condemned for catalogue of delayed decisions and errors 3 / [Sunak will be ‘short of money’ despite historic tax rises, IFS warns]( Higher NHS spending and slower growth expected to cause shortfall 4 / [Populist cleric wins most seats in Iraqi election, initial results say]( Muqtada al-Sadr emerges as potential kingmaker amid low voter turnout 5 / [Children locked in cells for 23 hours a day in Oakhill youth jail]( Practice continues despite warning from inspectors of 'widespread failings' The Big Question Is population decline always a bad thing? A population slowdown should “not be feared” because it could help the world reach its climate goals, the former chairman of the UK Financial Services Authority, Adair Turner, has said. Rather than amounting to economic disaster with not enough people to fill key jobs, as is the common fear, a gentle decline in birth rates would actually “deliver significant benefits to human welfare”, Lord Turner argues in a new report. His findings conclude that a country like the UK could cut CO2 emissions by some 38 million tonnes – the equivalent of taking 19 million cars off the roads – by 2035 if its population was to fall at the same rate as Japan's. They provide interesting food for thought ahead of the Cop26 global climate summit in Glasgow. [Read the full story >]( Watch / [UK faces ‘uncertain’ winter due to combination of flu and Covid, Dr Harries says]( NUMBER OF THE DAY 14 The number of women murdered in London since Sarah Everard was killed in March QUOTE OF THE DAY “Each time that the EU comes forward with new ideas and new proposals to try and solve problems, they are dismissed before they are released – and that’s happening again this week.” – Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney has accused the UK of “shifting the playing field” away from solutions in talks to resolve post-Brexit trading tensions in Northern Ireland Other stories you might like [Video adds weight to claim Maradona trafficked Cuban girl]( [Iraq captures top Isis commander thought to be terror group’s moneyman]( [Expert panel to discuss how safe women really are in the UK during live event]( If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. [The Independent]( Join the conversation or follow us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Headlines_Masterlist_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our [privacy notice]( and [cookie policy](.