THE Government has reaffirmed it is '100 per cent' behind the concept of the nuclear deterrent. 

In a House of Lords debate, the Government confirmed it was backing the continued use of the nuclear deterrent having already committed to delivering four new nuclear submarines.

Members of the Lords asked the Government to confirm its defence 'triple lock' which promised to build the Dreadnought Trident submarines, keep the continuous at sea deterrent and repair nuclear subs.

Concerns were also raised about whether new forms of deterrence should be brought in to face modern threats.

And Lord Stirrup asked what planning was being done to help the transition from the current Vanguard class submarines to new Dreadnought boats which are 'very different and will require different crews and different logistic support chains'.

He said it could 'place a considerable strain on the Royal Navy and on defence resources in the round'.

Responding questions, defence minister Lord Coaker said: "We as a new Government are 100 per cent committed to the maintenance of the nuclear deterrent.

"We are committed to it with respect to the continuous at-sea deterrent, with the four new Dreadnought submarines.

"In answer to the point made by the noble and gallant Lord, Lord Stirrup, about the transition from Vanguard to Dreadnought, there are significant training programmes and work going on about how that transition is best done.

"I reassure him that considerable work is going on with respect to that."

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was behind nuclear weapons and Barrow's shipyard during a visit to the town while in opposition earlier this year.

The Labour manifesto promised that the party's commitment to the nuclear deterrent would be 'absolute', describing it as a 'vital safeguard for the UK and our NATO allies'.

The last Astute class attack submarines is being built at Barrow's shipyard, while work on the first two Dreadnought boats is also under way.

Barrow's shipyard is also working on new attack boats n the form of the AUKUS class, part of a defence agreement between the UK, US and Australia.