British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced that the government will invest £8.4 billion to continue the development and production of the next generation of nuclear-powered submarines under the Dreadnought programme.
The announcement is part of Burnham’s wider plans to expand training opportunities and create more jobs for young people, particularly in regions outside London.
The prime minister is expected to make the announcement in Barrow-in-Furness, home to the submarine facilities of defense company BAE Systems, one of the country’s largest employers in the sector.
The investment is already included in existing government spending plans and will support the delivery of the first of four new Dreadnought-class submarines. The first vessel is scheduled to enter service in the early 2030s.
Of the total investment, around £5.9 billion will be allocated to BAE Systems, while £2.5 billion will support companies across the wider supply chain involved in the programme.
