Tories accused of pressing ahead with Trident

The UK Government is under pressure to 'come clean' on Trident spending after it emerged that another £640 million is set to be devoted to the nuclear weapons system before renewal is voted on in the House of Commons later this year.

Vanguard-class submarine HMS Vigilant. Picture: PA

A further £640 million of investment in the new generation of submarines carrying the UK’s nuclear deterrent is set to be confirmed by Michael Fallon before MPs vote on the project.

The Defence Secretary will tell MPs he is pressing ahead with work to replace the four ageing Vanguard-class submarines, with an announcement of investment on “long lead” items for the first of the new boats and funding for facilities at the shipyard in Barrow.

The announcement, expected to be confirmed in a written Commons statement, comes ahead of a speech at the Scottish Conservative Conference tomorrow, where Mr Fallon is expected to target Labour’s divisions over the nuclear deterrent.

Demonstrators participate in a 'Stop Trident' march though central London on February 27. Picture: Getty

However, SNP defence spokesman Brendan O’Hara, called on the UK Government to clearly state its plans for Trident

He said: :“These reports are shocking, but sadly believable.

“Michael Fallon has form on this, with over £4billion already spent on the next generation of Trident before a single vote has been cast at Westminster.

“A billion here, a billion there and another £640 million this week, it looks like the Tories are trying to renew this nuclear arsenal by stealth without bothering to consult the House of Commons.

“Michael Fallon needs to come clean and tell MPs and the people of Scotland how much money has already been spent and how much more he wants to spend before MPs get a chance to vote on renewal.”