Andy Burnham to unveil £8.4 billion investment in UK’s nuclear submarines
Andy Burnham is expected to unveil on Thursday an £8.4 billion investment for the UK’s next generation of nuclear submarines, reports BritPanorama.
The funding is aimed at preparing Dreadnought-class boats for service by the 2030s. These nuclear-armed vessels will replace the existing Vanguard-class submarines and will be equipped to launch Trident 2 D5 ballistic missiles.
Powered by a Rolls-Royce nuclear propulsion system produced in Derby, the submarines are designed to have an almost unlimited operational range.
HMS Dreadnought will be the first of four new submarines. The funding will primarily support its progress toward readiness, with a portion dedicated to advancing the second vessel, HMS Valiant, to its sea trials. Manufacturers will also be supported to construct the third and fourth boats.
Mr. Burnham stated, “Keeping this country safe is the first responsibility of any government. But security is not only about what we build, it is about who builds it, and who benefits from it.”
He emphasized that the submarines produced in Barrow will protect Britain for decades and claimed the initiative will create 47,000 jobs and apprenticeships that will transform lives across the country. “British money, spent on British workers, British firms and British skills, in the places that were written off for 40 years,” he added. “To every young person across the country, I want you to know that there is a path for you into a reindustrialised Britain.”
The announcement will follow the Prime Minister’s earlier pledge to address youth unemployment. During a visit to Alstom, a rail manufacturer in Derby, Mr. Burnham noted the rising number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), which surpassed 1 million for the first time since 2013.
“It would be wrong to blame the young people when we have an education system that doesn’t set them up properly,” he remarked, addressing the shortcomings in work experience and placements. “We’ve got to put those building blocks in place, and then, in time, that number will come down.”
The wider UK Defence Nuclear Enterprise is believed to support around 47,000 jobs across various locations, including 9,000 in Aldermaston and Burghfield, 8,000 at Devonport naval base in Plymouth, and 13,500 at Barrow in Cumbria.
Of the £8.4 billion investment, £5.9 billion is allocated to BAE Systems, with £2.5 billion designated for the broader supply chain. However, Mr. Burnham faces scrutiny regarding how he intends to fund the commitment to achieve 3.5% of GDP on defence spending by 2035.
When questioned on this commitment, the Prime Minister pointed to the deadline set for the next decade, stating, “In terms of our NATO commitments, I have been very clear that we will honour those commitments.”
Burnham’s choice for chancellor, John Healey, resigned from his position as defence secretary last month, citing issues with resource commitment for national defense amid increasing global threats.
The Defence Investment Plan, which includes funding for the fitting of four Dreadnought submarines in Barrow, is projected to raise total defence investment over the next four years to £298 billion. By the end of the decade, defence spending is expected to reach 2.7% of GDP.
The Prime Minister is likely to highlight Barrow as an example of how taxpayer investment in government projects can create long-term opportunities throughout the UK. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting affirmed the importance of the nuclear-armed submarines, describing them as essential for the UK’s security and a key deterrent in a dangerous world.
Streeting added, “This milestone investment breathes new life into Barrow’s historic traditions and secures our commitment to deliver Dreadnought Class submarines by backing British industry.”
In contrast, Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge pointed out that the announcement appears to reiterate funding previously confirmed but welcomed the progress on the Dreadnought programme. He expressed concerns over the lack of clarity regarding the procurement of additional attack submarines as outlined in the strategic defence review.
As discussions continue, it remains to be seen how these significant investments and initiatives will translate into concrete benefits for the UK’s defence capabilities and the economy.
