Today is a historic day for a town with a proud past and an exciting future.

During his visit to Barrow today the Prime Minster will signal the Government’s commitment to our area – backed by the £200m Barrow Transformation Fund – as ‘a blueprint for how increased defence spending can boost communities’.

All eyes will be on us, and all of Government will be behind us, as we show the way in unlocking economic growth and prosperity.

As part of his visit the Prime Minister has also announced that His Majesty the King has agreed to confer the title ‘Royal’ to the Port of Barrow in recognition of the town’s unique role in guaranteeing the nation’s security.

Like most people from this area I could not be prouder that the King has recognised our town in this way. The title is a recognition of the dedication and commitment of the people of Barrow in delivering the submarines that protect the nation, now and for decades to come.

I know that His Majesty hopes to visit the town in due course to “mark the town’s proud heritage and prosperous future”, and if and when he does visit I know he will be enthusiastically welcomed and it will be a massive occasion for our area.

There are some other big announcements for our area as part of the visit including:

• Launch of a £5m “Brilliant Futures Fund” for primary schools in Barrow in Furness which will be co-designed by Headteachers. This forms part of the Barrow Transformation Fund, a £200 million government package to strengthen the local economy and boost opportunities for the people of Barrow. The “Brilliant Futures Fund” will help our children realise their full potential.
• A further £5 million will be provided for grants to community and voluntary organisations to allow local people to improve their local area.
• A new £28 million funding package for T-Levels, delivered by providers across England including Furness College in Barrow to support submarine builders of the future.
• The Prime Minister laid the keel for Dreadnaught Boat 1 – the first of the next generation of the UK’s nuclear deterrent.