March 14, 2023

Levelling up by protecting our security: AUKUS submarine deal signed

Our commitment to defence, and our mission to level up the country go hand-in-hand, with thousands of new jobs to be created in Barrow following Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s new submarine deal.

This new deal will mean the most advanced nuclear-powered submarines ever seen will be built right here in Barrow-in-Furness. By putting our defence and economic security first, the Conservatives are creating thousands of jobs in Barrow, with even more further along the supply chain in places like Derby.

The most advanced components will be incorporated, and the interoperable submarine design agreed will allow the Royal Navy with its Australian and US counterparts to work together to meet shared threats and maintain peace and security in the Indo-Pacific. The Integrated Review Refresh 2023 confirms the Indo-Pacific ‘tilt’ as a permanent pillar of the UK’s international policy, and AUKUS is just one of the practical steps we are taking to show our long-term commitment to stability across the globe.

In the UK, we’re giving more people the security of a job as we grow the economy, halve inflation and get debt falling, with investment in defence vital to protecting our economic growth:

  • Our priority to grow the economy, halve inflation and get debt falling relies on a strong workforce across the UK – meaning more people have the security of their own income.

  • The latest figures show that the number of payroll employees rose by 98,000 in February 2023 to 30 million. Our new deal for Barrow-in-Furness will only add to these numbers, driving employment opportunities forward.

  • No Labour government has ever left office with unemployment lower than when they came to power. Labour would wreck the economy with unfunded spending, higher debt and a plan to borrow more.

By committing to shore up our economic security with this new investment, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is making sure we can meet the challenges of a more volatile world.

Commenting, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

The AUKUS partnership, and the submarines we are building in British shipyards, are a tangible demonstration of our commitment to global security.
 
This partnership was founded on the bedrock of our shared values and resolute focus on upholding stability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
 
And I am hugely pleased that the plans we have announced today will see pioneering British design expertise protect our people and our allies for generations to come.

 

The Conservatives are delivering on your priorities: growing the economy by investing in all measures needed to protect it going forwards, regardless of emerging threats, and creating thousands of jobs across the country in the process.