The cost of replacing Trident has soared, the Conservative Government's defence review suggests.
The price of building four replacement Trident submarines has risen from £25bn to £31bn.
But defence chiefs have also set aside an extra £10bn contingency fund, meaning the final bill could be as high as £41bn.
Estimates that the overall life of the Trident successor programme will eventually cost between £100bn and £167bn have been based on the £25bn figure.
The Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) also raised the spectre of job cuts on the Clyde after minister's committed to build just eight new frigates there - not the expected 13.
But it also includes new Maritime Patrol Aircraft which will be based at RAF Lossiemouth in Moray.
Downing Street has suggested that MPs may be denied a vote on the final decision to replace Trident.
A No 10 source said that the government was committing to a "debate" on the future of the nuclear deterrent on the Clyde.
David Cameron has previously promised MPs a vote on the 'main gate' decision.
But the government's strategic defence and security review (SDSR) outlined plans to move away from a 'main gate' to a more gradual approach.
A source said: "We are committing today to a debate".
Later in the Commons David Cameron told MPs they would be given a vote on the replacement of Trident.
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel