Prime minister to launch strategic defence review in Glasgow this morning

Nick Robinson is interviewing Keir Starmer on the Today programme now.

Q: What do you mean when you say you want the UK to be “war ready”?

There is greater instability on defence and security than there has been for many, many years, and greater threats, and that’s obviously having a direct impact back into the United Kingdom. Hence the review. I wanted a review that told me the challenges we’re actually facing and likely to face for the foreseeable future.

The prime minister will announce … that the UK’s conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine fleet will be significantly expanded, with up to 12 new SSN-AUKUS boats to be built.

The increase in submarines will transform the UK’s submarine building industry and, following the £15 billion investment in the warhead programme outlined, will deliver on this government’s Plan for Change, supporting 30,000 highly skilled jobs up-and-down the country well into the 2030s, as well as helping work to deliver 30,000 apprenticeships and 14,000 graduate roles across the next ten years.