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The UK Government intends to launch a “national endeavour” to strengthen the country’s nuclear deterrent, including promising to invest more than £760 million in industry over the next six years in vital skills and infrastructure.
Rishi Sunak, the prime minister, will also on Monday announce a separate £200m investment in a “transformation fund” for Barrow-in-Furness, the Cumbrian town where BAE Systems builds Britain’s nuclear submarines for the Royal Navy. Barrow has suffered from health inequalities, poor housing and some of the most deprived neighborhoods in the country despite multiple attempts at permanent regeneration.
The investments come as the government prepares to set out how it plans to maintain and modernize the UK's nuclear deterrent in a new Defense Leadership paper. This follows concerns that aging infrastructure and lack of investment are undermining the effectiveness of deterrence, a cornerstone of Britain's defense posture.
Ministers were forced last month to declare the deterrent force remained “safe, secure and effective” after a nuclear missile test failed when the Trident weapon fell into the sea near the submarine that launched it. Adding to the embarrassment, Defense Secretary Grant Shapps was on board HMS Vanguard to witness the test launch, which took place in January.
The Defense Command paper will detail the government's plans to bring new Dreadnought-class submarines into service in the early 2030s. The armored vehicles are scheduled to replace the current Vanguard-class ships that entered service in the mid-1990s.
“Protecting the future of nuclear deterrence and our nuclear energy industry is a crucial national endeavour,” Sunak will say during a visit to Barrow on Monday.
“In a more dangerous and competitive world, the UK’s continued nuclear deterrence at sea is more important than ever. Nuclear power provides cheaper and cleaner domestic energy for consumers.
Investments in Britain's nuclear capabilities and skills – both defense and civil – are seen as vital if the government is to build a new fleet of atomic power stations to enhance its energy security, as well as implement the new dreadnought programme. The government is also committed to building a new generation of attack submarines under the trilateral OKOS agreement with the United States and Australia.
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Ministers view Okos as a key part of the government's “level-up” agenda to narrow regional economic differences. Minister Michael Gove scrutinized Barrow in a speech in July, promising to make it a “new powerhouse in the north”.
Under the Barrow Transformation Fund, the Government will commit £20 million to immediate projects, including supporting people into work. This will be followed by at least £20 million a year over 10 years to build more homes, develop the transport network and support local schools.
Britain's nuclear industry will need an extra 123,000 people by 2030, according to the government. The £763m investment, involving more than £400m from industry including BAE, Rolls-Royce, Babcock International and EDF, will create around 5,000 new apprenticeships over the next four years.
