Labour Shadow Defence Ministers, Maria Eagle MP, and local MP, Luke Pollard stressed Labour’s ‘total commitment’ to the nuclear deterrent and backed defence communities as Pollard welcomed Eagle to Devonport.

Eagle, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Defence Procurement, said Labour’s commitment to the deterrent would support thousands of high-paying jobs locally and across Britain.

The joint-visit to Devonport came shortly after Sir Keir Starmer backed jobs and investment for defence communities like Plymouth as he announced a new “triple-lock” commitment to the UK nuclear submarine programme during a visit to Barrow-In-Furness.

The triple lock commitment includes building four new nuclear submarines in Barrow, maintaining Britain’s continuous at-sea deterrence, and to all future upgrades needed.

The Leader of the Labour Party added that the UK’s nuclear deterrent is the “bedrock” of Labour’s plan to keep Britain safe.

Building on this commitment, Labour’s Shadow Defence Procurement Minister visited Devonport to view first-hand the Vanguard-class submarine currently under refit at the dockyard. Eagle also met with workers and trade unions on the visit.

Devonport is a key site in the nuclear supply chain, supporting around 19,400 jobs locally.

During the visit, Eagle also saw HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark and backed calls by Devonport MP Luke Pollard for Ministers to clear up the “cloud of confusion” over the future of both amphibious ships.

There are fresh doubts over whether HMS Bulwark will return to sea, despite Ministers prior pledges.

Earlier in the week, Sir Keir wrote an exclusive for Plymouth Herald, detailing how a Labour Government would back “Plymouth’s defence credentials.”

Maria Eagle, Shadow Minister for Defence Procurement, said:

“Labour’s commitment to the UK’s nuclear deterrent is total. Our ‘triple-lock’ commitment to our nuclear submarine programme will support thousands of high paying jobs across the UK and is a signal of Labour’s commitment to defence communities like Plymouth for generations to come.”

“I was pleased to meet unions and workers to hear first-hand about the world class skills they have in Devonport. The work that takes place at Devonport is essential to our national defence and the pivotal work of the Royal Navy in delivering the continuous at-sea deterrent.”

Luke Pollard, Member of Parliament for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, commented:

“Our ‘triple-lock’ commitment to the UK’s nuclear submarine programme is fantastic news for Plymouth and will be vital in supporting defence jobs locally, which as Devonport’s MP, I have been fighting for since I was elected.

“Countless families in Plymouth and across Britain have built a secure future over decades of hard work building our defences. We want that to continue for the decades to come.

“That’s why we will back the UK’s nuclear supply chain and more widely, we’ll make it fundamental to direct British defence investment first to British businesses.”

Fred Thomas, Labour’s Parliamentary candidate Plymouth Moor View, added:

“As a former Royal Marines captain, I know that our personnel need to have world class equipment to win.

“Plymouth’s proud military past is matched by the incredible amount of opportunity to create more jobs in industry across our city.

“Labour backs our forces and it is good to have yet another Shadow Minister visiting Plymouth, committing to the future of our city.”