A schism has emerged between the UK’s coalition over the future of the Scotland-based nuclear deterrent Trident.
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond announced £350 million of extra funding for the next stage of design work for the future generation of nuclear-armed submarines, before Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg made a statement casting doubt over the facility’s future.
Mr Hammond had stated he has no contingency plans for the nuclear deterrent being outlawed in an independent Scotland, as he was ”confident” the 2014 independence referendum would result in a no vote.
During a visit to Faslane on the Clyde, he said: ”We are confident that the Scottish people will choose to remain part of the United Kingdom.
”The Faslane complex is the largest employment site in Scotland, with over 6,500 jobs underpinning the local economy.
”We have no plans to move the nuclear deterrent from the Clyde. On the contrary, we intend to move the Astute and Trafalgar Class attack submarines to Faslane, creating a further 1,500 jobs.
”The Scottish Government needs to explain how their policy would benefit Scotland’s economy and safeguard Scottish jobs.”
However, Mr Clegg said no agreement was in place as to how any replacement for the facility would look.
He said: ”The coalition agreement is crystal clear. It stands. It will not be changed. It will not be undermined.
”The final decision on the replacement of Trident will not be taken until 2016, however many other people may not like it.
”The idea of a like-for-like entirely unchanged replacement of Trident is basically saying we will spend billions and billions and billions of pounds on a nuclear missile system designed with the sole strategic purpose of flattening Moscow at the press of a button.”
Mr Hammond said the investment will sustain 1,200 UK jobs and claimed the workforce at Faslane will increase to over 8,000 by 2022.
He said these jobs would be secured by all Royal Navy submarines being based at the facility by 2017, including the Astute and Trafalgar class attack submarines and Sandown Class Mine Counter Measure vessels.
These figures have been disputed by the SNP, who claim just 520 jobs are dependent on the nuclear facility.
The Nationalists said Faslane would be protected in an independent Scotland, but as a major conventional base rather than a home to the weapons of mass destruction.
An MoD spokesperson said: ”The figure of 520 jobs only covers civilians working directly on the Trident weapon system.
”It does not include any military personnel and does not include the vast majority of jobs at Faslane which support the deterrent, the Vanguard submarines and the infrastructure which keeps the deterrent operational.
”HMNB Clyde is the largest employment site in Scotland with over 6,500 military and civilian jobs and this figure will increase to over 8,000 by 2022.
”The Scottish Government should be up-front about what their policy for independence would mean for these jobs.”
First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope said: ”One of the core roles of the Royal Navy, the Continuous At Sea Deterrent remains an enduring strategic capability, underpinning our nation’s commitment to the preservation of peace in our uncertain world.”