Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a major UK nuclear submarine investment, committing £8.4 billion to the fourth delivery phase of the nation's nuclear deterrent fleet and insisted it will secure thousands of skilled jobs.
Speaking directly to workers and apprentices during a high-profile visit to BAE Systems shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness on July 30, 2026, he emphasised that the funding will secure thousands of manufacturing roles across the Barrow-in-Furness Dreadnought submarine programme jobs cluster.