Prime Minister Keir Starmer secretly visits nuclear submarine off coast of Scotland

Prime Minister Keir Starmer secretly visited a nuclear-armed submarine off the coast of Scotland as it returned home from a record-breaking 204 days at sea.

Keir Starmer made the rare visit aboard the HMS Vanguard on Monday.

The vessel is the UK’s oldest nuclear-armed submarine, and the Prime Minister greeted crew members returning from a “deterrent patrol”.

Starmer and defence secretary John Healey joined the submariners as they had their debrief following the long operational tour.

It was the first time a Prime Minister joined a “day zero” return since 2013, and he met the families waiting on shore for their relatives to return from sea – four of whom returned home to newborn children.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and defence secretary John Healey visit a Vanguard class submarine off the coast of Scotland as it returns home from a period of duty at sea.

The Royal Navy is required to keep one nuclear-armed submarine at sea at all times.

The “continuous at-sea deterrence” is the cornerstone of UK defence strategy and the “ultimate guarantor” of the nation’s security.

Since 1969, the nuclear deterrent submarine has been the cornerstone of UK’s security strategy – with at least one nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine patrolling the seas undetected at all times.

On Thursday, following his visit aboard the HMS Vanguard, Starmer laid the keel of the next generation of the UK’s nuclear deterrent submarine during a visit to the Royal Port of Barrow.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Defence Secretary John Healey are shown the control room as they visits a Vanguard class submarine off the coast of Scotland as it returns home from a period of duty at sea. Picture by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street

The new submarine will be the first of four Dreadnought class submarines built in Barrow.

The news has come as the current nuclear defence fleet continues to age – putting pressure on UK’s defence position.

According to the UK Government, the new generation of Dreadnought class nuclear defence submarines will protect the British people and their allies from the “most extreme threats to our national security and way of life for decades to come”.

The project is expected to support more than 30,000 jobs across the country, from BAE Systems in Barrow, to small and medium enterprises up and down the country.

Defence secretary John Healey said it’s one of the most complex projects ever undertaken in the UK, but it represents “the very best” of British engineering.

“Today’s keel laying is a demonstration of our government delivering for defence and fulfilling our first duty: to keep the British people safe,” Healey said.

“Our commitment to the nuclear deterrent is unshakeable – it is the ultimate guarantor of our national security and the security of our NATO allies. And this national endeavour is also an engine for jobs and growth in Barrow and beyond.”

What else happened during the visit?

The Prime Minister also conferred the Royal title on the Port of Barrow during his visit on Thursday.

The keel for the first nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine was laid in Barrow in 1959, before its launch in 1960.

It’s now home to the next generation of UK nuclear defence as well.

In recognition of the town’s “unique and critical” contribution to national security, Starmer announced on Thursday that His Majesty The King has conferred the “Royal title” to the Port of Barrow.

“When I say that our Plan for Change is delivering security for working people and renewal for our country, there is no better blueprint than Barrow,” Starmer said:

“This week, I saw firsthand the sacrifice our submariners are making every day to keep our country safe, but I know they are only able to do that because of the support of the town of Barrow.”

Starmer said that “each and every person living and working in Barrow” is contributing to the nation’s defence – through either the submarine programme or by supporting the programme’s vital workforce.

“Defence spending here is supporting highly skilled jobs, driving opportunities for young people and delivering world class capabilities to keep us all safe, but it’s also crucially putting money in the pockets of hardworking people,” he said.

As part of recognising the contribution, and to ensure the community is able to continue delivering the nuclear deterrent, Starmer also announced a £28m funding package for T-Levels, delivered by providers across England including Furness College in Barrow.

The funding will help to equip and inspire students to be the next generation of submarine builders, with industry-relevant skills and knowledge, and leading to skilled employment, apprenticeships, or higher education both in the defence sector and beyond.