The UK government’s investment plan aims to upgrade facilities at Faslane and strengthen the naval base’s readiness to “fight and defend our nation.”
The plan will see an additional £15 billion of funding across the UK, on top of the £298bn which is set to be invested over a four-year period.
The MP for West Dunbartonshire, Douglas McAllister, said: “I welcome the announcement of our Defence Investment Plan, which highlights Labour’s commitment to our national security and Armed Forces after 14 years of Conservative governments hollowing out and underfunding defence.
“I am particularly pleased to see the multi-billion-pound investment in Faslane.
“While located just outside of West Dunbartonshire, Faslane provides so many good, well-paid jobs to people across Alexandria, Dumbarton, and Clydebank, all of whom I am sure will also welcome this much needed investment in upgrading Faslane’s facilities.
“This is great news for West Dunbartonshire, for Scotland, and across the UK.”
McAllister stated that this investment will allow the current demands of the nuclear age to be met by maintaining the Vanguard-class submarines at HM Naval Base Clyde, which function as a nuclear deterrent.
It is estimated that the funding increase will create nearly 60,000 jobs across the UK.
As a result, UK defence spending will increase to 2.7% of GDP, which is a higher proportion than in the last 30 years and it puts the UK on track to meet NATO’s defence spending targets by 2035.
Speaking on this, Keir Starmer said: “The world is a more dangerous and volatile place, so it is only right we are boosting the number of troops on the ground, rebuilding ammunition stockpiles and investing in cutting edge technology to ensure we outpace our adversaries for generations to come.
“Every pound in this plan will work twice, delivering economic growth and opportunity for the British people, and supporting more than half a million jobs by the end of the decade, as well as reinforcing our national security.”
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