The Prime Minister has announced today that the UK’s conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine fleet will be significantly expanded, with up to 12 new SSN-AUKUS boats to be built at the Barrow shipyard.
This is a huge news for the local economy. It will safeguard jobs, provide huge opportunities for local people, and be the driver for our local economy across south Cumbria.
The Prime Minister has already committed to Barrow being a blueprint for how defence spending can boost communities up and down the country, and the announcement today builds on that commitment. The work is already underway to ensure that the investment in our shipyard is felt by everyone with investment in public services, infrastructure, and other local amenities.
I gave a promise before the General Election that I would back Barrow and our nation’s security, and that Labour was the party of defence, NATO, and a triple lock commitment to our nuclear deterrent.
Labour is today delivering on that promise, not just backing previous orders but increasing them. Defence spending under this Labour Government means investment in British companies, in local supply chains, and in our communities.
