Barrow granted royal status to recognise its UK nuclear submarine-building heritage

The King has agreed to confer the title of "Royal" to the Port of Barrow in recognition of the town's contribution to national security as the home of nuclear submarine building in the UK. 

His Majesty is said to be hoping to visit the town in due course following the announcement that the home of Britain's nuclear submarines will receive the title.

It comes as the Prime Minister is set to describe Barrow as a blueprint for how defence spending can boost communities up and down the country.

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The Prime Minister's visit follows him secretly joining submariners returning home a few days ago.

He boarded HMS Vanguard as she returned to UK waters, known as a "Day Zero", to thank the submariners for their months of silent service deep underwater.

It was the first time a Prime Minister had been on a nuclear submarine since David Cameron was welcomed on board in 2013.

In a post on X, Sir Keir thanked the submariners for "months of silent service".

"It was an honour to join them on board, and to meet their loved ones," he said.

"Thank you for your service to our country – welcome home."

The PM will also lay the keel to the first boat of the next generation nuclear-armed submarines, known as the Dreadnought class during his visit to Barrow.

He is also announcing a new £28m funding package for T-Levels, an alternative to A-levels, delivered by providers across England including Furness College in Barrow.

Responding to the news, shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said: "Having wasted months stalling on getting back to our defence spending increase, Labour need to get on with procurement, not least to replenish the weapons we gifted to Ukraine."