UK PM Burnham announces £8.4 bln nuclear submarine investment, says it will create 47,000 jobs

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced an £8.4 billion investment in nuclear submarines, stating it will bolster UK security and create jobs.

The funding was originally agreed by Keir Starmer's government as part of the £15 billion uplift for the UK's defence and nuclear budget under the Defence Investment Plan (DIP). However, Burnham is framing the investment as a means to "reindustrialise" Britain by supporting apprenticeships and employment.

Key Announcements

• The investment will focus on replacing existing nuclear submarines and preparing them for service.
• Burnham will visit Barrow-in-Furness on Thursday to unveil a new BAE apprentice scheme, training 30 apprentices over the next three years.
• The project is expected to support 47,000 jobs and apprenticeships.

Prime Minister's Statement

Speaking about the announcement, Burnham said:

"Security is not only about what we build, it is about who builds it, and who benefits from it. The submarines produced in Barrow will protect Britain for decades to come, and the 47,000 jobs and apprenticeships will change lives both in this town and in dozens of places like it. British money, spent on British workers, British firms and British skills, in the places that were written off for 40 years."

Defence Secretary's Response

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting commented:

"Our nuclear-armed submarines are essential to keeping the UK secure, acting as the ultimate deterrent to our adversaries in an increasingly dangerous world. This milestone investment breathes new life into Barrow's historic traditions and secures our commitment to deliver Dreadnought Class submarines by backing British industry. Supporting thousands of skilled, local jobs, we are fusing Barrow's proud heritage with modern technology to build our security for the future, supporting the next generation to keep our country safe as their parents and grandparents did."

Political Reactions

Conservative Party

Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge described the announcement as a "re-announcement of funding previously confirmed in the DIP," but said it was still welcomed by the Tories. However, the party noted that Burnham is adding to uncertainty by failing to commit to the 3% GDP defence spending target by 2030.

Liberal Democrats

Defence spokesperson James MacCleary supported the announcement but warned more needed to be done for the military sector:

"Our nuclear deterrent is the ultimate guarantor of Britain's national security. The prime minister is right to focus on securing its next generation, but he can't turn a blind eye to the damage done to the rest of our military by years of Conservative negligence and cuts. With [Vladimir] Putin expanding his aggression and an unreliable partner in the White House, we need to invest properly in the regeneration of our Army, Navy and Air Force. This is a real missed opportunity for Andy Burnham to have heeded Liberal Democrat calls for defence bonds, and raise dedicated funding to rebuild capabilities across the whole of the Armed Forces."

Reform UK

Reform UK's Danny Kruger accused Burnham of focusing on "press releases instead of strategic decisions":

"This rehashed spending plan does nothing to address the crisis in the UK's nuclear programme, which needs vision, grip, and sustained funding - not a re-announcement to plug a gap in the new PM's summer grid."

Outstanding Questions

Questions remain over whether the Burnham government still intends to spend 3% of GDP on defence by 2030. The prime minister avoided the query on Wednesday during his social care announcement, instead promising to honour NATO's goal of reaching 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035.

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