U.K. To Invest $252 Million To Bolster Nuclear Submarine And Energy Projects

United Kingdom’s PM, Rishi Sunak, is committing millions of pounds to British nuclear deterrent and energy infrastructure. This investment is part of a crucial national endeavour to safeguard the industry and the country.

The government will invest about £353 million in skills and apprenticeships in the civil and defence nuclear sector by 2030.

Yet another £200 million will be dedicated to Barrow-in-Furness, a town in northwest England that is also home to the UK’s nuclear submarine program, to regenerate the location in the next decade.

Downing Street announced another £400 million of private investments for creating over 8,000 career options and helping fill 40,000 jobs the industry requires. Companies including Rolls-Royce Plc, BAE Systems, Electricite de France SA, and Babcock International Group also support the programs, Number 10 reported.

The Defense Secretary, Grant Shapps, will present the Defense Nuclear Enterprise Command Paper to the parliament on Monday. The government said this will help set out additional actions to advance the UK’s nuclear submarine expertise.

Britain is one of the countries looking to bolster its defence capabilities as well as energy security amid evolving geopolitical tensions, with an increasing threat from the fallout from the ongoing war in Ukraine and the war in Gaza.

Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, previously stated that defence spending must increase as soon as it becomes affordable. Ahead of a planned visit on Monday to Barrow-in-Furness, the PM said that in a contested and dangerous world, the UK’s consistent at-sea nuclear deterrent is now more vital than ever. Nuclear power delivers cleaner and cheaper home-grown energy for consumers.

Barrow produces both Astute and Dreadnought submarines and will be critical to constructing next-gen nuclear-powered submarines that will likely be deployed in the 2040s as part of the Aukus security agreement with the US and Australia.

The £200 million for Barrow-in-Furness is expected to improve transport links, build homes, and support local schools and hospitals. The Labour opposition has mentioned that it will back the plans.

Reference: Aljazeera

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