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Work on Trident nuclear renewal to get go ahead Work on Trident nuclear renewal gets go ahead
(about 1 hour later)
The defence secretary is to give the go-ahead for initial work to begin on the replacement of Britain's Trident nuclear deterrent. The defence secretary has given the go-ahead for initial work to begin on the replacement of Britain's Trident nuclear deterrent.
In a statement later, Liam Fox will approve the first stage of research and design for replacing existing submarines. Liam Fox approved the first stage of design for replacement submarines, saying Trident was the "ultimate guarantee of national security".
The issue has been the subject of tension within the coalition. The issue has been the subject of tension within the government.
The Lib Dems, which support a cheaper alternative, want the final decision delayed until after the next election. The coalition has delayed the final decision until after the next election amid Lib Dem concerns over its cost.
But most Tory MPs want the government to proceed immediately, urging a clear signal of the UK's determination to maintain an independent nuclear deterrent. As progress on Trident renewal gets under way, Dr Fox said the Ministry of Defence would also commission a study into alternative nuclear options to see whether they were "feasible and credible" - to be overseen by Lib Dem Armed Forces minister Nick Harvey.
'Insurance policy' Shadow Defence Secretary Jim Murphy backed the decision, saying Trident had been a "cornerstone" of the UK's peace and security for more than 50 years.
The coalition had earlier indicated it would delay the "main gate" decision on replacing the UK's four Vanguard submarines until after May 2015 - a move widely seen as easing tensions with the Lib Dems. First phase
But Dr Fox will give the green light to the "initial gate" phase, which will mean ordering the specialised steel to build the submarines and designing new nuclear reactors. The coalition indicated last year that it would delay the "main gate" decision on replacing the UK's four Vanguard submarines until after May 2015 - a move widely seen as easing tensions with the Lib Dems.
The BBC understands that the "initial gate" decision will cost about £3bn - a significant proportion of the end cost of the submarines currently estimated at around £20bn. This has not changed but Dr Fox said the government's decision to give the green light to the "initial gate" phase would enable ministers to make a final decision after that time.
In the first phase, the specialised steel to build the submarines and propulsions systems will be ordered.
The first stage will cost about £3bn, out of a total expected cost for replacing Trident of about £20bn.
Dr Fox said that although the UK was committed to securing multilateral nuclear disarmament, the possibility that the UK could face a "direct nuclear threat" in the future could not be ruled out.
"I am absolutely clear that a minimum nuclear deterrent based on the Trident missile delivery system and continuous at sea deterrent is right the UK and it should be maintained."
Although he said he believed Trident was the "best" system, Dr Fox said he was "not afraid to look at alternatives" and the Lib Dems should be able "to make the case" for it.
He said £3bn in savings had already been found in the renewal process and he was committed to it providing "value for money" for the taxpayer.
Tory MPs had been pressing for a decision on the initial-gate phase, saying that it would send a clear signal of the UK's determination to maintain an independent nuclear deterrent.
'Insurance policy'
The BBC's Political Correspondent Iain Watson said Lib Dem MPs felt they had kicked Trident renewal into the long grass but were now having to come to terms with substantial spending on its replacement.
Former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell pressed Dr Fox to publish the conclusions of the report.
"May we also take it that if the study produces credible alternatives, in relation procurement and policy, he will take proper account of these alternatives?"
But Shadow Defence Secretary Jim Murphy backed the decision, saying Trident had been a "cornerstone" of the UK's peace and security for more than 50 years.
Asked about the issue at Prime Minister's Questions by pro-nuclear Tory MP Julian Lewis, David Cameron said he backed renewal of Trident as it was the "ultimate insurance policy against blackmail or attacks by other countries".Asked about the issue at Prime Minister's Questions by pro-nuclear Tory MP Julian Lewis, David Cameron said he backed renewal of Trident as it was the "ultimate insurance policy against blackmail or attacks by other countries".
The prime minister said the government's policy on Trident was "absolutely clear".The prime minister said the government's policy on Trident was "absolutely clear".
"We are committed to retaining an independent nuclear deterrent based on Trident," he said."We are committed to retaining an independent nuclear deterrent based on Trident," he said.
'Cross-party alliance''Cross-party alliance'
Dr Lewis, a frequent critic of the Lib Dems on Trident, urged Mr Cameron to build a cross-party "alliance" of Conservative and Labour MPs to make the case for nuclear deterrent renewal similar to that seen during the recent AV referendum - on which the Conservatives and Lib Dems were on different sides.Dr Lewis, a frequent critic of the Lib Dems on Trident, urged Mr Cameron to build a cross-party "alliance" of Conservative and Labour MPs to make the case for nuclear deterrent renewal similar to that seen during the recent AV referendum - on which the Conservatives and Lib Dems were on different sides.
Mr Cameron said he hoped to "elevate" the issue beyond party political debate and get the support of the opposition for the move, pointing out that the last Labour government had agreed to Trident renewal in 2007.Mr Cameron said he hoped to "elevate" the issue beyond party political debate and get the support of the opposition for the move, pointing out that the last Labour government had agreed to Trident renewal in 2007.
"When we voted to go ahead with Trident, it was on the basis of a Labour motion that was supported by most Labour MPs and, I believe, all Conservative MPs.""When we voted to go ahead with Trident, it was on the basis of a Labour motion that was supported by most Labour MPs and, I believe, all Conservative MPs."
The BBC's Political Correspondent Iain Watson said Lib Dem MPs felt they had kicked Trident renewal into the long grass but were now having to come to terms with substantial spending on its replacement.
However, Labour MP Paul Flynn said Trident was a "national virility symbol" and had not been used in any conflict for many years and was unlikely to be in future.However, Labour MP Paul Flynn said Trident was a "national virility symbol" and had not been used in any conflict for many years and was unlikely to be in future.