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Andy Burnham unveils billions in investment for 'next generation' of nuclear deterrent

The new Prime Minister announced billions for Britain's nuclear-armed submarines, to get the new HMS Dreadnought through its sea trials and ready for service by the 2030s

[Andy Burnham in front of nuclear-powered fleet submarine HMS Agamemnon in Barrow]

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Andy Burnham in front of nuclear-powered fleet submarine HMS Agamemnon in Barrow(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Andy Burnham says Britain has secured the "next generation of the nuclear deterrent" after unveiling an 8.4 billion investment.

The new PM announced billions for Britain's nuclear-armed submarines, to get the new HMS Dreadnought through its sea trials and ready for service by the 2030s.

The nuclear-armed submarines are set to replace the current Vanguard Class when they enter service and will be capable of launching Trident 2 D5 ballistic missiles.

On a visit to Barrow in Cumbria, Mr Burnham claimed that the incredible industrial history of the area is now secure for many, many decades.

[The PM has unveiled 8.4 billion of investment for nuclear submarines]

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The PM has unveiled 8.4 billion of investment for nuclear submarines(Image: PA)

He said: It secures the future of the town, the future of Barrow. Its that significant. This is an 8.4 billion investment, obviously bringing through the next generation of the nuclear deterrent.

Downing Street say the move will help support 18,000 extra jobs in nuclear defence by 2030 and 22,000 additional apprentices by 2035.

Writing earlier on X, the PM argued the safety of Brits was his priority. He wrote: Keeping this country safe is the first responsibility of any government - but security isnt just about what we build, its about who builds it. The submarines produced in Barrow protect us all, the jobs and apprenticeships they create change lives. This is Britain - reindustrialised.

[The PM and Defence Secretary met with students at the Submarine Academy for Skills and Knowledge in Cumbria]

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The PM and Defence Secretary met with students at the Submarine Academy for Skills and Knowledge in Cumbria(Image: Chris Furlong/PA Wire)

It comes as the Defence Secretary Wes Streeting refused to guarantee the Government will spend 3% of GDP on defence by 2030.

Mr Streeting said he was committed to the UKs overall goal and spending pledges made to Nato, but he did not want to pre-empt future spending details.

Speaking this week Mr Burnham also refused to commit to the same 3% target by 2030, despite a row about defence spending helping end Keir Starmers time as PM.

Mr Streeting told Sky News: Lets say, for arguments sake, I just said yes, we will by 2030 meet 3%.

The inevitable next question is how will you fund it? And the trap that Ive seen so many previous, particularly Conservative, governments fall into is setting out what they would spend or the taxes they would cut, without at the same time, saying how they would pay for it.

Im sorry but that path leads to uncertainty, a loss of market confidence, a rise in borrowing costs, so we end up paying a heavy price if you dont have that fiscal discipline of spelling out at the same time, not just what you will spend, or the taxes you would cut, but also how you would pay for it.

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