Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 30 of the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, what progress he has made in expanding nuclear reactor core manufacturing capabilities at Raynesway in Derby.

Through the Core Production Capability and Submarine Build Modernisation programmes, we are expanding capability at Raynesway by modernising/upgrading manufacturing facilities and growing the workforce. Upgrades required to support Dreadnought reactor core production are complete. Work is well underway to modernise and expand the manufacturing capabilities and capacity needed to produce the reactor cores and nuclear steam raising plant for future SSN-AUKUS submarines, supporting both the UK and Australian submarine production programmes.