MPs, trade unionists, and civil society leaders handed a letter into Downing Street today, urging the government to urgently rethink its nuclear weapons expansion.

The letter, delivered by figures including Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament general secretary Sophie Bolt, Stop the War Coalition convener Lindsey German, PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote and Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn, calls on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to abandon his decision to purchase 12 nuclear-capable F-35A jets to be stationed at RAF Marham.

Anti-war campaigners warn that the aircraft have been designed to drop US B61-12 nuclear bombs, which are now believed to be deployed across Europe and in Britain.

The intervention comes amid growing nuclear tensions and rising breaches of international disarmament agreements.

In the letter, signatories argue that “far from protecting the British population, your decision to buy US nuclear-capable fighter jets, that can launch US B61-12 nuclear bombs, ties Britain even closer to the dangerous leadership of US President Donald Trump” and “increases the risk of such weapons being used in war.”

They add that “this nuclear expansion” forms part of a wider war drive that is draining public funds from essential services and “making the population poorer.”

It highlights estimates that the purchase and sustainment costs of the F-35s at over £2.5 billion, and it comes on top of the at least £205bn that is being spent on the replacement of Britain’s nuclear submarines.

The letter says: “Given the grave consequences of this expansion, including Britain’s breach of international law, it is also deeply concerning that no opportunity was given for Parliament to debate or vote on this decision before it was announced.

“Instead of pouring hundreds of billions into lethal weapons, action needs to be focused on tackling the underlying causes threatening our human security.

“This means reversing the devastating poverty, deprivation and crumbling public services that mark our communities, investing in sustainable homes, rebuilding our health and education systems, and funding a just transition through green jobs, skills and infrastructure.”

Other signatories include Green Party leader Zack Polanski, MPs Zarah Sultana, Brian Leishman and Richard Burgon, and union leaders Eddie Dempsey of RMT, Dave Ward of CWU and Maryam Eslamdoust of TSSA.