George Osborne will signal the government’s determination to remain at the nuclear top table by announcing a £500 million investment in the Faslane submarine base on the Clyde today.
In a move that will be interpreted by the SNP as provocative, in a visit to the base the chancellor will demonstrate his faith in Trident and its replacement, and pledge to safeguard its future.
The money will be used to adapt the base for the Successor class submarines that are due to replace the Trident-armed Vanguard vessels that act as the UK’s nuclear deterrent. The Successor class, which will be armed with a new generation of Trident nuclear warheads, is due to enter service in 2028.
The SNP is opposed to keeping Trident and Scottish Labour is poised to join the Nationalists in taking that position. The issue is due to be debated at the Scottish Labour conference in October.
Mr Osborne will claim that the £500 million he is making available will secure 6,700 jobs and create thousands more.
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The chancellor’s visit to HM Naval Base Clyde has been planned to reassure Faslane’s workforce that their jobs will be safe so long as the Conservatives are in power at Westminster. It is also designed to send a clear message that the UK government will not waver in its support for Trident or its replacement.
Mr Osborne is expected to say: “Today’s announcement of more than £500 million demonstrates the government’s commitment to investing in infrastructure and capability to ensure that Faslane remains the centre of UK submarine operations for the next generation.”
The work, which will start in 2017, will take ten years to complete and will result in new ship lifts, sea walls, jetties and other infrastructure projects designed to make Faslane the most secure and modern naval base in the country.
The base employs 6,700 military and civilian staff and contractors but this is expected to increase to about 8,200 by 2022.
Mr Osborne will add: “There will be thousands more jobs here in Faslane, as well as across the UK supply chain.”