FINAL approval for the UK's Successor submarine programme WILL be given before Parliament breaks for the summer recess, the Defence Secretary says.

There had been speculation that the Brexit result in the EU referendum and turmoil in the opposition and government could delay the Parliamentary vote on the four submarines - to be built by BAE Systems at Barrow - from July until later in the year.

But well-placed government sources have said the decision looks set to be made before the MPs break on July 21.

Approval would support thousands of jobs in Barrow shipyard designing and building Successor Class submarines, and also in supply chain companies.

Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock, who chairs the Backbench Defence Committee, questioned the Successor timetable with Defence secretary Michael Fallon on Monday in the House of Commons.

Mr Fallon said: "There are those who are opposed in principle [to renewal of the UK's nuclear deterrent], but there is clearly such a majority in this House.

"I believe that it is right that this House should vote on the principle of the renewal of the deterrent, and I very much hope that he will not have too much longer to wait."

Mr Woodcock then sought further reassurance from within the Government, which he received.

He said:“There has obviously been a considerable amount of concern that the Brexit shock will delay Parliamentary approval for the Successor submarine programme but I was pleased by the Defence Secretary’s upbeat response to my question about the successor timetable in the House of Commons.

"I have since been given private reassurance by a senior government figure and am confident the plan remains to bring the vote before the summer recess at the end of July. There is a cast-iron majority for Trident renewal whenever it comes in this Parliament, but it will be good to give the programme the parliamentary stamp of approval like this.”


Michael Fallon Defence secretary Michael Fallon has spoken out to reassure the country’s allies that “Britain is not turning its back on them”.

Speaking in the House of Commons for the first time since the UK narrowly voted to leave the EU, he said Britain would continue to play a leading role in defence matters on the world stage.

He had been questioned by Emily Thornberry, the outgoing Shadow Defence Secretary, about how he “can reassure the British people that we can keep our country safe and secure in the wake of the Brexit vote”.

Mr Fallon said: “Yes it is very important that we reassure our allies in Europe and around the world that Britain is not turning its back on them.

“On the contrary, we are still playing a leading role in the world and that includes work in some of the vital operations in the Mediterranean and off the horn of Africa.”