Trident renewal central to defence spending, says Andy Burnham

Prime minister to highlight investment in communities as he launches next phase of nuclear submarine replacement

Andy Burnham will place the renewal of Trident at the heart of his vision of a reindustrialised Britain on Thursday when he travels to Barrow-in-Furness to launch the next phase of the nuclear submarine replacement programme.

The new prime minister intends to emphasise that defence spending on projects such as the 31bn Dreadnought-class boats built in the Cumbrian town is a case study of taxpayer investment revitalising communities around the UK.