‘Multi-billion redevelopment' of nuclear submarine base
Plans have been unveiled for the 'multi-decade' work at the Faslane base which is the Royal Navy's main presence north of the Border.
Faslane is the Royal Navy's main presence in Scotland. (Image: Newsquest) The move is announced as part of the UK Government's Spending Review nuclear strategy that includes the £14.2 billion investment to build Sizewell C plant in Suffolk.
Across defence, the UK Government said: 'To secure the UK as a leader in both civil and defence nuclear, the government will also be investing £4bn over the next decade in the Plymouth naval base as well as continued long-term investment in our Defence Nuclear Enterprise and its industrial base, as this is critical for our national security while also being a significant generator of economic opportunities, jobs and growth across the entire country.'
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It also said: 'Further investments in the defence nuclear sector include over £6bn over the Spending Review period to enable a transformation in the capacity, capability and productivity of the UK's submarine industrial base, including at BAE Systems in Barrow and Rolls-Royce Submarines in Derby – to deliver the increase in the submarine production rate announced in the Strategic Defence Review.
'In addition, we will embark on a multi-decade, multi-billion redevelopment of HMNB Clyde, with an initial £250m of funding over three years, supporting jobs, skills and growth across the West of Scotland.'
Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: 'Today we are once again investing in Britian's renewal, with the biggest nuclear building programme in a generation.
'We are creating thousands of jobs, kickstarting economic growth and putting more money people's pockets.'
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