£350m more funding for nuclear subs

This investment will sustain 1,200 UK jobs and follows the initial £350m of design work announced earlier this year, the Ministry of Defence said.

Mr Hammond will make the announcement on a visit to the home of the UK’s nuclear deterrent at Faslane on the River Clyde. Commenting on the Scottish independence debate, the Defence Secretary reiterated the Government’s commitment to keep the naval base in Scotland, saying he was “confident” Scottish people would choose to remain part of the UK.

He said: “We are confident that the Scottish people will choose to remain part of the United Kingdom. The Faslane complex is the largest employment site in Scotland with over 6,500 jobs underpinning the local economy.

“We have no plans to move the nuclear deterrent from the Clyde. On the contrary, we intend to move the Astute and Trafalgar Class attack submarines to Faslane, creating a further 1,500 jobs.

“The Scottish Government needs to explain how their policy would benefit Scotland’s economy and safeguard Scottish jobs.”

The announcement followed the successful firing of an unarmed Trident ballistic missile by HMS Vigilant during a test launch in the Atlantic Ocean last week, the MoD said. HMS Vigilant is one of four Vanguard Class submarines that maintain the UK’s nuclear deterrent.

The Vanguard submarines will be replaced from 2028 by the Successor which is currently being designed by British companies. As a result of today’s announcement, BAE Systems will proceed with an additional £315m worth of work, with a further £38m carried out by engineering support services company Babcock.

Mr Hammond said: “Our continuous submarine-based nuclear deterrent is the ultimate safeguard of our national security and the Government is committed to maintaining it, both now and in the future.”

First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope said: “The Royal Navy has for over 43 years continuously operated the UK’s nuclear deterrent to stringent safety standards and HMS Vigilant’s latest test firing before she returns to the patrol cycle reflects that successful deterrence is based upon strong determination.”