BURNHAM BACKS £8.4BN SUBMARINE PLAN – Prime Minister says investment will strengthen security and create jobs
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced an £8.4 billion investment in Britain’s nuclear submarine programme, saying it will strengthen national security while creating thousands of skilled jobs across the UK.
During a visit to Barrow-in-Furness, Mr Burnham said the funding would support the replacement of the UK’s nuclear submarines and help “reindustrialise” Britain by investing in British workers, businesses and apprenticeships. The project is expected to support around 47,000 jobs and apprenticeships, including a new BAE Systems training scheme for young people.
The funding was originally agreed under the previous government’s Defence Investment Plan as part of a wider £15 billion increase in defence and nuclear spending. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the investment would secure the UK’s nuclear deterrent for decades to come while backing British industry and protecting highly skilled manufacturing jobs.
Opposition parties broadly welcomed the investment but questioned the government’s wider defence strategy. Conservatives said ministers should reaffirm their commitment to spending 3% of GDP on defence, while the Liberal Democrats called for further investment across the Armed Forces. Reform UK criticised the announcement, describing it as a rebranding of previously announced funding rather than a new defence strategy.
