Dismantling Nuclear Submarines & Jobs

GETTING the green light to cut up all seven of the nuclear subs laid up at Rosyth would “guarantee” the future of the yard. That’s the view of Graeme Downie MP who said this project alone – not including the 15 decommissioned boats at Devonport – would bring “decades of work”. He spoke to the Press after asking the Secretary of State for Defence when he plans to make a decision on the future of the Submarine Dismantling Programme. Mr Downie, the Labour MP for Dunfermline and Dollar, wants Rosyth to become a “centre of excellence” for this work and said: “I’m constantly asking them about this, I badger them every few months to get a formal answer! “HMS Swiftsure will be finished next year, then there’ll be some other work to the dry dock to move the other ones in, maybe they’ll be able to do two at a time. “Each one takes about five to 10 years, so to then get the go-ahead for the other six at Rosyth, you’re talking about decades of work.

Dunfermline Press 4th Dec 2025 
https://www.dunfermlinepress.com/news/25673517.graeme-downie-mp-submarine-dismantling-rosyth-dockyard/

Fife SNP councillor accused of sowing Rosyth nuclear missile misinformation. The SNP is facing accusations of putting “hundreds” of jobs at risk over the comment about submarines. First Minister John Swinney is under pressure to condemn comments from a Fife SNP councillor which opponents claim could put “hundreds” of jobs at Rosyth dockyard at risk. Councillor Brian Goodall had called for a public debate over nuclear fears at Rosyth dockyard after the UK Government announced a £340 million investment. The new cash is to be used for improvements to support the decommissioning of nuclear submarines. Upgrades will also provide a contingency berth that could allow HMS Dreadnought, the next generation of the UK’s independent nuclear deterrent, to dock at Rosyth during sea trials in the early 2030s. But Mr Goodall called for a “public debate” on this part of the plan, saying the submarines would be carrying Trident nuclear weapons. Mr Goodall said: “These submarines would be carrying Trident nuclear weapons, something Rosyth has never seen before,” he said. “The idea that this should happen without a full public debate on the implications is unthinkable. “The last thing we need in Rosyth is any more radioactive material coming in, especially if the local communities don’t even get consulted about it first. “I think this is outrageous and I’m calling on them to rethink this approach.” But sources say this is inaccurate, and The Courier understands the submarines would not be armed with warheads if they docked in Rosyth.

Dundee Courier 5th Dec 2025 
https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/politics/5386932/fife-snp-nuclear-rosyth/