THE SNP have hit out at Rishi Sunak after he announced £200 million in funding to “secure” the future of the UK’s nuclear industry.

The new funds will finance community initiatives and workforce investments in Barrow-in-Furness, where Britain’s new Trident submarines are under construction, the UK Government said.

MP Martin Docherty-Hughes, the SNP’s defence spokesperson, described the move as “grotesque” and said that it showed Westminster is “focused on the wrong priorities”. 

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He said: “Westminster has already wasted billions of taxpayers’ money on nuclear weapons and expensive nuclear energy.

“It is grotesque to throw another £200m down the drain when the Tories and Labour both claim there is no money to improve our NHS, to help families with the cost of living or to properly invest in our green energy future.

“This money would be much better spent on a raft of other priorities – not least investing in the green energy gold rush, which would ensure Scotland can be a green energy powerhouse of the 21st century.”

Barrow hosts the UK’s Astute-class nuclear attack submarines, and is home to the shipyard building new Trident-equipped submarines to be homeported at Faslane.

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It is hoped that the investment will see 8000 jobs created in the nuclear sector, helping to meet a target of 40,000 new roles in the field by 2030, the UK Government said.

Sunak, who is unlikely to be prime minister by the end of the year, also said he would commit to a further £900m in funding for the community over the next five years.

Ahead of an appearance in the town, the Prime Minister said: “Safeguarding the future of our nuclear deterrent and nuclear energy industry is a critical national endeavour. 

“In a more dangerous and contested world, the UK’s continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent is more vital than ever. And nuclear delivers cheaper, cleaner home-grown energy for consumers.

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“That’s why we are investing in Barrow, the home of UK submarines, and in the jobs and skills of the future in the thriving British nuclear industry.”

The new funding comes as the UK’s non-nuclear military forces are facing a wide range of challenges.

Several former commanders raised worries last month by suggesting the UK should reintroduce conscription amidst a slump in recruitment.

Poor funding is also causing difficulty for the forces, with two Tory ministers recently insisting that defence spending be increased.

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Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has said he wants a “bigger budget” and called for military spending to be increased to 3% of GDP, in line with the UK’s commitments to Nato.

There was no new money for defence in the Spring Budget, with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt saying “our spending will rise to 2.5% (of GDP) as soon as economic conditions allow”, but not detailing how that would happen.

Docherty-Hughes said: “The urgent priority is more money for conventional defence and for our armed forces, who are underpaid and under-resourced.

“With both Sunak and Starmer focused on the wrong priorities, it is only the SNP standing up for Scotland’s interests and Scotland’s values.”