£250m Faslane Investment to Strengthen Defence and Support Scottish Industry

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A £250-million commitment to upgrade the base that houses the U.K.’s nuclear deterrent is set to bolster Scotland’s economy and tackle pressing skills shortages, according to ministers.

The funding package for His Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde at Faslane was confirmed in the recent U.K. Government spending review and is intended to prepare the site for the next generation of nuclear submarines. Over the coming decades, the broader Clyde 2070 programme is expected to channel billions into defence infrastructure.

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray described the investment as a “defence dividend” for Scotland, highlighting the economic benefits that the project will bring to businesses of all sizes. Speaking ahead of a visit to the base alongside defence procurement minister Maria Eagle, Mr Murray said:

“With Faslane home to the nation’s first and final line of defence, the U.K.’s nuclear deterrent, it’s only right that Clyde 2070 represents one of the most significant U.K. Government investments over the coming decades.”

He added that modernising Faslane would ensure the Royal Navy can maintain a continuous at-sea deterrent from a state-of-the-art base, improving conditions for personnel and supporting high-value employment.

The three-year programme will prioritise skills development in key sectors such as nuclear engineering, maritime industries, construction, and project management. In particular, the funding aims to involve small and medium-sized Scottish firms in the supply chain.

“Crucially, it will also create skilled jobs – including for small and medium-sized firms boost the economy and help tackle the critical skills gaps facing the country,” Mr Murray said, pointing to collaboration between industry, academia and local communities as a route to sustained growth.

While the Labour-led administration in Westminster has drawn criticism for its wider approach to public spending, ministers have been keen to present defence modernisation as a necessary commitment to national security and regional prosperity.

Defence procurement minister Maria Eagle echoed these priorities, describing Faslane as “vital to our deterrence capability.” She emphasised that the base remains essential to Britain’s strategic defence posture, particularly amid a more unpredictable global security environment.

“We are today reaffirming that unshakeable commitment by launching this multibillion-pound investment to His Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde,” Ms Eagle said. “The initial £250 million of funding over three years will support jobs, skills and growth across the west of Scotland.”

She added that the Government intends to ensure the U.K. remains safe for generations, while also positioning defence as “an engine for growth” in the years ahead.

The Clyde 2070 strategy forms part of a longer-term vision to sustain Britain’s nuclear deterrent and maintain the Royal Navy’s operational edge. Supporters argue that this type of investment demonstrates the continuing importance of the Union in delivering economic opportunity and security benefits across Scotland.