The [UK] Government has awarded a new £5.9bn contract to BAE Systems funding critical work to progress the nation’s Dreadnought Class nuclear deterrent submarines towards entry into service. The BAE Systems contract forms part of a wider £8.4bn package approved by parliament for the Ministry of Defence (MOD). “This milestone investment breathes new life into Barrow’s historic traditions and secures our commitment to deliver Dreadnought Class submarines by backing British industry. The Dreadnought programme supports approximately 30,000 jobs across the country, with more than 7,000 people currently working on it at BAE Systems alone. That contribution continues to grow; £1bn has been invested in the BAE Systems Submarines site and its workforce has expanded from 11,000 to approximately 16,000 over the past four years.