How much will the UK's new nuclear submarines really cost?

What does it cost, and how many jobs does it actually create? This is especially important now with the next generation of nuclear-powered submarines, the “Dreadnought” class, starting construction. When the UK Government announced the programme to replace the current Valiant class boats, the cost they announced in Parliament, £31 billion, was to build four submarines. This is as disingenuous as announcing the cost of a revamped NHS as the cost to build four hospitals. The total cost of ownership over the projected 30-year lifespan is much larger. We have reached a figure of over £600bn. Shocking? Indeed. Surprising? Compared to what, the HS2 rail link? The terrible truth is that nobody knows how much this will cost. The annual report of the government’s own “Infrastructure and Projects” authority has a lot of bad news, including a “red” score for the development of the Dreadnought boats’ new engines. In short, this means it can’t be done. Sounds expensive.

The National 25th April 2024

https://www.thenational.scot/politics/24277002.much-will-uks-new-nuclear-submarines-really-cost/