The Royal Navy could be caught in a "doom loop", military experts have said, as Britain's fleet deals with burnt-out crew and ships.
The UK took weeks to deploy HMS Dragon after the war in the Middle East began but has already been forced to undergo maintenance.
Former head of the Royal Navy, Lord Alan West, told The i: "The Royal Navy has got to a really quite parlous state, something that a number of us have been warning about over a number of years.
"To have found ourselves as the war opened up in Iran, with not a single Royal Navy warship between Gibraltar and Singapore was quite extraordinary. It must be the first time that’s happened for a couple of centuries I’d have thought."
Intelligence suggests that at the end of March, the UK had one Type 45 destroyer out of six and one Type 23 frigate out of seven at sea, with only one of its five attack submarines deployed.
Labour MP, Tan Dhesi, who heads the Defence Select Committee, said: "The [committee] has repeatedly raised concerns around the UK’s lack of mass and capabilities, and the urgent need for investment in UK defence.
"Many will have felt embarrassed at the beginning of the US-Iran war at the UK’s inability to deploy a single ship swiftly to the region."
David Blagden, associate professor of international security and strategy at the University of Exeter claimed: "We’re in a doom loop now where we’re having to kind of spend more time getting them sea-ready, because they’re spending so much time at sea. The recruitment and retention situation got pretty bad. There’s obviously been all the well-publicised criticism of service accommodation, terms of service, overstretched people."
Sadiq Khan claims Russia, China and the far right are feeding misinformation about London
Sir Sadiq Khan has claimed that networks linked to Moscow, Beijing and the far right are spreading social media disinformation about London.
The Mayor of London urged the Government and social media companies to do more to tackle disinformation in the face of a rising tide of fake videos about the capital, many focusing on crime and migration.
In a speech at the Cambridge Disinformation Summit on Thursday, Sir Sadiq said the findings showed fake content had become “an industry” allowing people to “profit from poison”.
He said: “The accessibility of AI tools means absolutely anyone can create sophisticated disinformation. And social media means they can spread it far and wide, making massive profits in the process.”
Taking aim at social media companies, he said platforms had not done “anywhere near enough” to deal with the issue, adding they were still letting people fan the flames of fear and hatred for profit”.
“If platforms fail to act, the state must have the tools to make them. That’s why I’ll continue lobbying the Government publicly and privately to take a much tougher approach. We need a new central body with the agility and authority to protect our democracy from disinformation, and deal with the scale and speed of this crisis.”
US-Iran ceasefire 'fragile' with 'work to do', says Keir Starmer
Sir Keir Starmer spoke to press in the Middle East following his tour
|GB NEWS
The Prime Minister has spoken with broadcasters in the Middle East following his meetings with leaders in Bahrain, the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
He said: "I think the mood is very much one of the shock that they were attacked in the first place, because, of course, they weren't attacking Iran, and the intensity of some of the attacks.
"Relief that there's now a ceasefire. I think a general sense that it's fragile, that there's work to do in relation to it.
"And then a lot of reflection and discussion, me with them, about the work we did over the last six to seven weeks together, the collective self-defence, the capabilities.
"And an opportunity frankly for me to say thank you to our personnel who are out here, who've been, many of the pilots have been working from about two hours after the conflict started."
Keir Starmer calls Lebanon strikes 'wrong' as he urges for military action to end
Sir Keir Starmer has declared Israeli military action against Lebanon "wrong" and says it must end during his Middle East tour.
When asked if Israel was wrong to conduct strikes in Lebanon, the Prime Minister responded unequivocally: "Yes, that shouldn't be happening. That should stop - that's my strong view".
He acknowledged uncertainty over whether the attacks constitute a breach of the US-Iran ceasefire agreement, stating it was "hard to say" given limited access to the full details.
"The question isn't a technical one of whether it's a breach of the agreement or not," Sir Keir said, arguing that Lebanon "should be included in a ceasefire. I'm saying I've been really clear about the use of the bases for collective self-defence only and we are monitoring," he stated.Lib Dems call for sanctions on Israel's PM following Lebanon attacks
Sir Ed Davey has called for the UK Government to place sanctions on the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet following the strikes in Lebanon.
Donald Trump has announced ceasefire between the US and Iran on Tuesday, however Israel then came out and said they did not believe it applied to the attacks on Lebanon.
The Liberal Democrats leader said in response: "Israel's continued strikes in Lebanon are undermining any hope of peace.
"The UK must act now: sanction Benjamin Netanyahu and his security cabinet, and halt all UK arms exports to Israel.
"We must finally proscribe the IRGC and support multilateral plans to disarm Hezbollah."
Both Iran and Pakistan, who worked to broker the ceasefire, have said that Lebanon was part of the original deal.
Nigel Farage slams Keir Starmer's Middle East trip: 'I don't know what he is doing!'
Nigel Farage has slammed the Prime Minister's Middle East trip
|GETTY
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has hit out at the Prime Minister's trip to the Middle East.
Sir Keir Starmer has already met with leaders in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and is now in Bahrain.
The Reform leader slammed the trip, saying: "I don't know what the prime minister thinks he's doing going to the Middle East.
"He's pretty much alienated everybody from the start of the war over his indecision. Now we hear today that we might send minesweeping equipment to help clear the Straits of Hormuz.
"Well, that's taking him nearly three weeks to make his mind up on that.
"I think he'll find that the other Arab state leaders right now do not hold him in particularly high regard.
"All he's doing, he's running out of political capital with America and many other countries."
Keir Starmer's digital ID will not allow users to select sex
GB News can reveal that the fine print of Sir Keir Starmer's new digital ID scheme reveals Britons will not be asked if they are male or female.
The news led the Conservatives to claim that "having struggled for so long to define what a woman is, Labour have now decided it’s easier just to abolish the concept entirely", adding that "women deserve better than to have their existence erased".
The ID cards are set to be introduced by the end of the decade, and the details for the plan state they will not show whether the holder is a man or a woman.
The Cabinet Office insisted: "We don’t think information about sex or gender is required for the current intended uses."
Keir Starmer arrives in Bahrain as part of Gulf tour
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer arrives at an airport in Bahrain, as part of a two-day visit to the Gulf region
|PA
Sir Keir Starmer has arrived in Bahrain as part of a trip to the Gulf to speak with allies about the Iran war.
He has already visited Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Plaid Cymru leader says Wales will stop 'bending to the will of Westminster' at manifesto launch
The leader of Plaid Cymru has said Wales will stop "bending to the will of Westminster" as he launched his party's manifesto for May's Senedd elections.
Party leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said: "Plaid Cymru offers a different path, our pledge is to govern with hope, to govern with humility, to govern with a kind of urgency and impatience which gets things done.
"No more bending to Westminster’s will, no more toeing the London party line, no more defending the status quo and no more saying no to Wales.
"Together, and for the first time, we can give our nation the leadership it deserves, leadership that takes its cue from the people of Wales and nobody else.
"Leadership focused on delivery, leadership that knows our best days lie ahead of us, not behind us."
Kremlin spokesman says Russia is 'entitled to take measures to protect its interests'
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there has been repeated incidents of piracy
| ReutersMoscow says it is "entitled" to protect Russian interests after frigate, the Admiral Grigorovich, was seen escorting two sanctioned oil tankers through the Channel to protect them from "piracy".
Kremlin spokesman Dimitry Peskov said: "Over the past few months, we have witnessed repeated incidents of piracy in international waters. These incidents of piracy have, among other things, harmed the economic interests of the Russian Federation.
"The Russian Federation considers itself entitled to, and will certainly take, measures to protect its interests."
SNP pledges to work with Dolly Parton's charity to get kids reading
The SNP has pledged to work with Dolly Parton’s charity to provide young children in Scotland with free books.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said the Scottish Government will partner with The Dollywood Foundation UK to deliver the scheme nationwide in a bid to get children reading.
Under her party’s manifesto commitment, ministers will support the rollout of the Imagination Library, a book gifting programme that sends free books to children from birth to age five.
The SNP said the scheme is already running in parts of Scotland, including Dundee, Fife, Renfrewshire and Helensburgh.
The SNP candidate for Mid Fife and Glenrothes said: “The opportunity for Scottish kids to have access to free books is one that we should absolutely embrace – that’s what a partnership with Dolly Parton’s programme can bring.
“By working with The Dollywood Foundation UK we can take what’s been done so well in Dundee and Fife to every corner of our country and build on the record levels of literacy and numeracy we are seeing in our schools."
Keir Starmer under pressure to 'show strength' in Middle East as PM attempts to rebrand as 'global statesman' over Iran
Sir Keir Starmer is facing demands to demonstrate strength during his Gulf tour as Labour strategists work to reposition the Prime Minister as a "global statesman" ahead of crucial May elections.
The PM is currently visiting the region following discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, seeking to reassure allies and restore confidence in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
WATCH IN FULL: Zack Polanski launches Green Party local election campaign
Zack Polanski has launched the Green Party's local election campaign has he said the Greens were "heading for a new record-breaking result".
Speaking in Deptford, he said: "In 2023 we had record-breaking results as a Green Party. We got over 241 new councillors.
"Now, 2023 was an election where double the number of seats were in play than there are at this election.
"Nevertheless, I am confident, but not complacent, in this election we are going to beat 241 councillors and we are heading for a new record-breaking result for the Green Party."
John Healey insists US remains 'totally, totally committed to Nato'
John Healey has insisted the US remains "totally, totally committed to Nato" and article five, which relates to collective defence.
The Defence Secretary said he had discussed the issue when he spoke to his US counterpart, Pete Hegseth.
When asked about Donald Trump's remarks on Truth Social yesterday that Nato "was not there when we needed them and won't be there again", Mr Healey said he is "really not going to comment on social media posts".
However, he said Mr Hegseth was: "Equally strong in requiring European Nato nations like the UK to step up, to step up on Ukraine, which we have, to step up on defence spending, which we have, and we are, and step up also on European leadership within Nato.
"That;s in many ways exactly what we're doing with this operation."
Ministry of Defence releases details of GUGI-Associated Vessels
Details of the location of the GUGI-Associated vessels
|MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
The Ministry of Defence has published a photograph showing of surface and sub-surface GUGI-associated vessels based at Olenya Guba in Russia.
Great Britain, in partnership with Norway and other allies, tracked a Russian attack submarine and two spy submarines in the North Atlantic for a month before they retreated.
Zack Polanski refuses to say if the Greens will scrap the triple lock on pensions
Green leader Zack Polanski has declined to say if his party would keep the triple lock on pensions.
He said the party's manifesto would provide more detail about their pensions plan.
While the Green Party leader admitted the younger generation is being "screwed over", Mr Polanski added he does not agree with the idea that younger people need to be pitted against older people.
John Healey says President Putin wants the UK to be 'distracted' by the Middle East
John Healey called an emergency press conference
|PA
John Healey has claimed Vladimir Putin wants the UK to be "distracted" by the Middle East.
The Defence Secretary said: "What I'm setting out today demonstrates that we are not just exposing his covert operation, but we are saying to him that we recognise Russia as the primary threat to the UK and to Nato.
"We will not take our eyes off Putin, whilst at the same time we act to protect our British interests and our British allies in the Middle East."
John Healey says Vladimir Putin had 'failed' in his covert operation
Defence Secretary John Healey says Vladimir Putin's covert operation failed "because this government completed our first duty".
Mr Healey confirmed later this year the UK's carrier group will be deployed to the High North and lead the new Nato mission, Arctic Sentry, which he said was "where it is most needed".
Zack Polanski warns Donald Trump is an 'increasingly unpredictable and dangerous man'
Green Party leader Zack Polanski speaking during the launch of the party's campaign
|PA
Green Party Leader Zack Polanski warned Donald Trump is an “increasingly unpredictable and dangerous man."
He said: "Just a couple of days ago, he said he was willing to wipe out a civilisation.
"Now, thankfully and hopefully, that has been delayed in terms of two weeks of a ceasefire. But the ceasefire we’ve seen, we know that Israel is also taking advantage of in terms of the bombing we’ve seen in Lebanon."
He added that he felt “vindicated” in his position on Mr Trump, arguing that "we had a Labour Government who was attacking me for these comments just a few months ago, but are now saying the exact same things".
John Healey reveals details of Russian military operation
Defence Secretary John Healey says he wanted to highlight the UK's "constant readiness" to respond to threats from Russia.
Mr Healey confirmed the operation involved a Russian Akula-class submarine, plus two submarines from the Main Directorate for Deep Sea Research (GUGI).
The Russian attack submarine and two spy submarines in the North Atlantic were monitored for a month before they retreated.
John Healey issues warning to Vladimir Putin
John Healey has told a press conference to "call out Russian activity" as he sent a warning to the Kremlin.
The Defence Secretary said: "To President Putin we say, we see you.
"We see your activity and you should know that any attempt to damage our pipelines will not be tolerated and will have serious consequences."
Zack Polanski says Greens are the 'last line of defence' against Reform UK
Zack Polanski has slammed Reform UK as he suggested the Greens are the "last line" of defence against Nigel Farage's party.
Mr Polanski said: "People are rejecting the old party politics of Labour and Conservative but they can see the divisive, awful politics Reform is trying to bring to the country."
Zack Polanski insists Greens will not be 'complacent' in upcoming local elections
Green Party leader Zack Polanski launches their local elections campaign
|GB NEWS
The Green Party leader Zack Polanski has said his party will not be "complacent" in the election as he suggested they were looking for a "record breaking" result.
Mr Polanski said: "In 2023, we had record breaking results as a Green party.
"We got over 241 new councillors. Now, 2023 was an election where double the number of seats were in play than there are at this election. Nevertheless, I am confident but not complacent in this election.
"We are going to beat 241 councillors and we are heading for a new record breaking result for the Green party."
Zack Polanski launching Green Party local election campaign
Green Party Zack Polanski has launched his party's local election campaign.
He called for Great Britain to end the "diplomatic trade privileges" with Israel as he called for Benjamin Netanyahu to "end the genocide".
Mr Polanski said: "It is outrageous that Israel are still enjoying diplomatic and trade privileges from the international community. As a Green party, we are calling on this government to make much more robust sanctions, to withdraw the UK-Israel trade agreement and to end the genocide.
"We know it’s not just Lebanon. We also see this going on in Iran. And the Prime Minister is not being entirely truthful with us all, with the country. He keeps saying that we are not involved with this war, but we still have UK soil and UK bases where US bombers are flying over to Iran.
"What we need to do is disentangle the UK military and the US military, ban the US from using our air spaces, and do exactly what other European allies like Pedro Sánchez in Spain have done and say, this war is not in our name and we want nothing to do with it."
The London Assembly member said he could "understand why people are looking for an alternative" to Labour as he said the Government has "watered down" its promises.
WATCH: Priti Patel says Keir Starmer's 'dithering' damaging UK's international reputation
Keir Starmer says Tehran must not 'hold the Strait of Hormuz to ransom'
Sir Keir Starmer met with Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority in Abu Dhabi
|PA
Sir Keir Starmer told Gulf allies Iran must not "hold the Strait of Hormuz to ransom" in a regional defence call during a visit to the United Arab Emirates.
Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, and Commodore David Filtness attended from the UK along with defence representatives from the so-called dragon group made up of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Iraq and Egypt.
The Prime Minister set out that the UK has been constant in its position calling for de-escalation in the Iran conflict and that he wants to see the ceasefire become a lasting peace.
He reiterated that Iran "must not hold the Strait of Hormuz to ransom" and that nations will need to come together on a solution.
He also thanked the Gulf countries present for all they have done to protect UK nationals in the region.
Veteran Scottish Tory MSP issues warning against Reform UK
Veteran Tory MSP Liz Smith has warned that “extremist” Reform UK could replace the Conservatives as Holyrood’s opposition.
The politician, who is standing down after nearly 20 years at Holyrood, admitted her biggest regret was the decline of the Scottish Tories since Ruth Davidson’s leadership led the party to historic success.
Ahead of the May election, she admitted her colleagues had concerns over how the party would rebuild trust with voters.
But she denied her party had shifted to the right in the wake of Nigel Farage’s popularity and insisted they had not copied the language and behaviour of Reform UK, which she described as "extremist"
She said: "I don’t actually think that’s correct. I think the media likes to portray that as correct because they see that we’re having to fight Reform."
Yvette Cooper declines to comment on Russian warship reports
The Foreign Secretary said she would not comment on the details of military operations, following reports that Russia had sent a warship alongside an oil tanker through the channel.
Speaking on LBC, Yvette Cooper said: "What I can tell you is that we have given permission now for action to be taken against the Russian shadow fleet. Operational decisions then have to be taken in the right way by the military.
"There are indications of the way in which not just the Russian shadow fleet is operating, but also the way in which we are seeing increased Russian threats, not just to the UK, but across Europe as well.
"We will be saying more about this shortly."
Priti Patel says it would be 'preposterous' to start tolling the Strait of Hormuz
Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel speaking to GB News this morning
|GB NEWS
Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel has said the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz is "very very concerning"
She told GB News: "Let's not forget before the war, this was an international waterway, it is preposterous to think there is any suggestion of tolling the strait. That will have enormous consequences for every country in the world.
"We need to find a resolution."
She added the Prime Minister's visit to the UAE today is an "afterthought."
Senior Liberal Democrat blasts 'lack of clarity' over Middle East ceasefire
The President of the Liberal Democrats Josh Babarinde has said there is a "lack of clarity" over the conditions of the US ceasefire.
He told GB News: "We need to make sure this Government is putting pressure on the Middle East including the US to clarify exactly what falls under the ceasefire.
"As far as what the Liberal Democrats are concerned the ceasefire needs to apply on all sides. We need to take the heat out of this and get back to the negotiating table.
"This is a war that is punishing the people not just of the Middle East but people in the UK too."
Kemi Badenoch tears into Keir Starmer after Labour delays defence spending plan
Kemi Badenoch tears into Keir Starmer after Labour delays defence spending plan
|PA
Kemi Badenoch has said Sir Keir Starmer is "all mouth and no trousers" as she called for the long-delayed defence investment plan to be published next week.
Labour ministers had said the investment plan would be published last year, but have since refused to set out a timeline amid reports of a dispute between the Ministry of Defence and the Treasury.
Last month, Defence Secretary John Healey denied reports the Treasury was causing the delay, insisting Chancellor Rachel Reeves had already given the defence budget an additional £8billion.
The Tory leader, who on Saturday will speak at the London Defence Conference, said the failure to publish the plan was a scandal.
Yvette Cooper 'deeply troubled' by Israeli strikes on Lebanon
The Foreign Secretary said she is “deeply troubled” by Israel’s strikes on Lebanon.
Speaking on Sky News, Yvette Cooper said: "I’m deeply troubled about the escalating attacks that we saw from Israel in Lebanon yesterday.
"We’ve seen the humanitarian consequences, the huge mass displacement of people in Lebanon."
Ms Cooper also said there is a "lot of work" that needs to be done to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and she would be meeting with the International Maritime Organisation later on Thursday about their proposal to get some of the first ships moving.
She also said it was "crucial" that Iran is not allowed to apply tolls in the strait.
Keir Starmer arrives in UAE
Sir Keir Starmer has arrived in the United Arab Emirates for talks on the Iran war as the ceasefire agreement comes under strain.
Here's what's happening today in Westminster and beyond...
Good Morning from all of us on the GB News Politics team, here's what's happening today in Westminster and beyond.
Sir Keir Starmer is still in the Gulf as he said there was a "sense of real relief" at the ceasefire in the US-Iran conflict, however a lot of work still needed to be done to make the peace deal last and restore oil and gas supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is set to tell a speech to City leaders later today that Lebanon must be included in the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran.
Addressing an event at the Mansion House, the Foreign Secretary will also warn there "must be no return to conflict" following the earlier announcement by President Donald Trump of a two-week pause in the conflict.
Meanwhile, Green Party leader Zack Polanski will be launching his party's local elections campaign in London alongside Hackney Mayoral Candidate Zoë Garbett and other local councillors.
He's expected to criticise "failing Labour councils" as he lays out the Greens' social housing plans, with his party eying up large gains in the capital.
Across the border, Rhun ap Iorwerth will be kicking off Plaid Cymru's election campaign as he promises a "more ambitious Wales" with his party leading in the polls in the Senedd.
Elsewhere, Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey is in Greater Manchester, where he will be sewing school uniforms.
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