UK aviation security funds to double in wake of recent tragedies

Subsequent to a number of recent tragedies which are all believed to be terrorist related, David Cameron, the UK Prime Minister, has announced his intention to increase the size of the UK security forces MI5 and MI6 by some 15% with the addition of 1,900 more officers. He has also vowed to double the amount of money spent on aviation security, in particular after what is suspected to be a bomb which destroyed the Metrojet Airbus A321 above the Sinai Peninsula a fortnight ago killing all 224 passengers and crew aboard.
The announcement has been made now in light of the events which took place in Paris at the weekend where 129 were killed and 352 were injured, after the suicide bombing in Beirut a few days ago which killed 43 people and wounded 239, and the attack on a beach in Tunisia which left 38 tourists dead, all attributed to ISIS terrorists.
“I am determined to prioritize the resources we need to combat the terrorist threat because protecting the British people is my number one duty,” David Cameron said in a statement.
“This is a generational struggle that demands we provide more manpower to combat those who would destroy us and our values.”
Cameron is due to discuss aviation security with other world leaders at the G20 summit in Turkey on Monday, including during a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He has also requested a rapid review of security at a number of airports worldwide which are used by high numbers of British tourists, including in the Middle East and North Africa. These assessments, which will be carried out over the next two months, will be focused on passenger screening and physical security at airports, as well as hold baggage and freight screening.
In addition to this, more recent security measures deployed at vulnerable airports will be reviewed, and the National Security Council will discuss British aviation security policy on Tuesday according to a government statement, while Cameron made it clear he planned to double government spending on aviation security during the next five years and which currently stands at £9 million (US$13.7 million).
It is anticipated the new funding will allow extra aviation security experts to regularly assess security at airports around the world as well as provide advice, training and equipment for other countries in order to assist them in improving airport security levels.
The government also indicated that these additional funds would be used for research into screening technology and the capability of detecting new threats.