Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Nuclear Deterrent

Monday 2 February 2026 · 1 question

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK's nuclear deterrent is operationally independent.
  • The Government plans to invest in skills and technologies to maintain the continuous at-sea presence of the nuclear deterrent.
  • Investment aims to ensure sovereign capability in nuclear deterrent operations.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Cameron Thomas Ind Tewkesbury
Context

The question addresses concerns about the operational autonomy of the UK’s nuclear weapons system and the reliance on US support for maintenance and servicing.

Question

What steps he is taking to ensure the autonomy of the UK’s nuclear deterrent. The French nuclear deterrent is the only truly independent nuclear deterrent. What steps are the Government taking to minimise the UK’s reliance on the US for nuclear deterrent servicing?

Answer from The Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry (Luke Pollard)

Our nuclear deterrent is operationally independent. It supports thousands of jobs up and down the country. We will continue to invest in the skills and technologies required to keep our continuous nuclear deterrent at sea. We will continue to invest in that sovereign capability, but we will also continue to participate across defence programmes with our partners, both in the United States and in Europe.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Steps being taken to minimise reliance on US for servicing were not addressed specifically.

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