The Government today unveiled a series of defence investments in Barrow-in-Furness, including laying the keel for the first Dreadnought-class nuclear submarine and securing the ‘Royal’ title for the Port of Barrow in recognition of the town’s strategic role in the UK’s defence industry.

However, the announcement comes amid increasing pressure over procurement delays, with critics arguing that Labour must move beyond headline-grabbing pledges to deliver tangible support for Britain’s defence supply chain.

Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge MP was among those questioning the Government’s pace of action, stating:

“Having wasted months stalling on getting back to our defence spending increase, Labour need to get on with procurement, not least to replenish the weapons we gifted to Ukraine.”

While today’s announcements were positioned as a demonstration of Labour’s commitment to defence and national security, the slow pace of procurement and concerns over supply chain resilience remain key points of contention. The Dreadnought-class submarines—which will replace the ageing Vanguard fleet—represent one of the most complex and expensive defence projects in the UK’s history, with continued questions over delivery timelines.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Barrow today to mark the keel laying of the first Dreadnought-class nuclear submarine, which he described as critical to maintaining the UK’s nuclear deterrent. The Dreadnought programme is set to sustain 30,000 jobs across the UK, reinforcing Barrow’s role as a key defence hub.

“Each and every person living and working in Barrow is contributing to our nation’s defence, whether that is building our world-class submarine programme, or supporting the workforce here through vital public services or proud family businesses.” – Prime Minister Keir Starmer

Alongside the submarine investment, Starmer also announced:

  • £28 million for T-Level education, including at Furness College, to train future shipbuilders.
  • A £200 million Barrow Transformation Fund, including £5 million for local schools and £5 million for community projects.

Yet despite these pledges, critics have raised concerns over whether the Government is moving fast enough to strengthen defence capabilities, particularly in the wake of ongoing global conflicts.

Rebuilding the Defence Industry—But at What Pace?

Cartlidge and other Conservative figures argue that Labour’s rhetoric on defence spending is yet to be backed by firm action on procurement. The Government has committed to raising defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, with an ambition for 3%, but critics warn that delays in weapons stockpile replenishment, warship production, and munitions procurement could undermine the UK’s strategic position.

“It’s time for the Government to back our defence supply chain across the board, delivering a boost to growth that is urgently needed.” – James Cartlidge MP

While today’s announcements mark a significant moment for Barrow’s defence industry, the wider challenge for Labour remains ensuring its commitments translate into real-world capability at a pace that meets global security demands.

George Allison
George Allison
George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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33 COMMENTS

  1. Keel laying? I had the impression that the Dreadnaught program was further advanced than that, although don’t they build the hull sections vertically and crane the bigger and heavier stuff into each section..? So perhaps the ‘keel’ laying is in fact the first section being laid down?

    As for the delays on ordering stuff that is getting a bit irritating to say the least although the previous governments were none to sharp on that front either. It seems the SDR is becoming a serious blockage. I sense the treasury’s cold dead hand weighing down on things. Only good bit it Reeves did mention that defence would get more money in the next spending around a few days ago. We’ll see.

    We need that damned SDR publishing.

    Cheers CR

    • I was wondering about keel laying too,first sections welded together perhaps??

      We know an extra 6 billion is kicking in slowly, the reality is it needs increasing right now and a move to 3% by 2030,with the SDR planning for an extra 15 billion by that date.

      • Yeah I think it’s a symbolic phrase in this situation. Meaning that they have enough hull sections to start putting things together.

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    • It’s purely a ceremonial act. Lot’s of work has already been carried out and this is a sort of confirmation.

      • Yeh, I was kinda thinking that especially as it has been reported that work is progressing on three boats. I guess I just imagined that the first one would have at least one bit horizontal by now so perhaps they go much further with ‘fitting’ out type work while the sections are still vertical…

        I wonder how far HMS Dreadnaught is from roll out. 4 / 5 years?

        So the work on long lead items for the first AUKUS boat will be in about the same timeframe if Barrow can work on three boats in the pre-roll out phases of the work. That would fit, just, with the late 2030’s ISD to the RN boats and early 2040’s for the RAN boats.

        Cheers CR

    • Keel laying is just a term, i think in this case it maybe that they are in a position to start welding two sections together, in-fact, these days that may even be done vertically, so any sort of keel would look kinda “odd” 😉

    • An Astute was taken out of the assembly hall recently iirc (Agamemnon, 9/2024), so I’m taking this ceremony as marking the second Boomer having work started or reaching a particular symbolic stage in the assembly hall.

    • Too true.

      Given that he was a minster in Rishi’s government that did nothing to increase defence spending it is quite the irony.

    • Geoffi, Tories were going to raise defence spend by 2030 and Labour are doing that 3 years faster, by 2027. Tories said little about going beyond to 3% but Labour have agreed to it and given a broad timeline. Cartlidge is embarrassing himself…and not for the first time.

    • Although I agree on the spending I think it is the hieight of hypocrisy coming from a Tory after what successive Tory government starting with Cameron did to defence.
      Even if they suddenly released sufficient funds to increase spending to 3% where would we spend it. An order for more typhoons would not be delivered for two to three years and we don’t have the pilots or ground crew. More T26s , that will be added onto the current build so they won’t come through for a decade. Astute assembly is finished but given the Trump factor will the RAN get their two Virginias. If we can expend capacity to build more astutes , I think our antipodean friends will want them.
      Building back up this countries defences has a lot of inertia,

  3. I am actually pleasantly surprised with Starmer he seems to be getting on with it, he’s carrying out way overdue reforms in NHS, CS and Welfare to free up resources.
    Also earlier this week he went out and met HMS Vanguard at Sea on her way back in after her monster patrol (see BBC News for details).
    As for a ship or boat being “laid down” it just am Historic figure of speech. In the old days a ship was ordered, materials started to be gathered and the central Keel plates were laid down on the slip. That was the start of the build process and the expression is still used.
    I’m not actually sure when you can say the build start these days as it’s too complex ! Is it when the first Long Lead item is delivered, or when the very first plate is welded to form a block or when the first hull sections of a submarine are closed up ?

    All of us will have different answers 🤷🏼‍♂️

  4. google says first steel was cut in 2016 so assume there are multiple pre-fabricated pieces which have come together with the keel. 3 under construction now apparently so they haven’t just started

  5. Tories can’t really complain to Labour about anything considering the country is in a mess and they’ve been in power the last 14 years.

  6. Tories have a bloody cheek criticising anyone about Defence. They did more damage to Defence in fourteen years than the Luffwaffe.

  8. The Titirs absolutely need to raise it as it’s their job as HMG Opposition. Whether they’re taken seriously on the other hand…

  9. It amazes me, The conservative did most of the damage to the armed forces over the past 14 years. But now in opposition MP Cartlidge is moaning and saying labour are moving to slow on increasing the defence budget

  10. Vanguard class has had three (?) life extensions. Dreadnaught was kicked down the road for some years. A lot of politicians should be ashamed, including the last Conservative administration.

  11. As a Conservative voter I’m left wondering if I and others alike are now partly to blame for voting for a party that has done this to our armed forces. Not saying that Labour under Blair/Brown also shoulder blame and would we now be pushing more into defence if it weren’t for the unpredictable across the pond, however this now working in our favour. Not a Starmer fan but at least he seems to be in control of the bus.

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