LORD Walney has raised concerns over delays to the next generation of Trident submarines being built in Barrow.

John Woodcock, who previously served as the MP for Furness, questioned the Government over the 'increasing strain' being placed on the current generation of Vanguard class boats that form the UK's at-sea nuclear deterrent.

Four Dreadnought class submarines are being built to replace the Vanguard boats by the 2030s but official reports have previously estimated the programme is at risk of falling behind schedule and going over budget.

Lord Walney made the comments in a House of Lords debate on whether the Government should review the 'safety, security and reliability' of the country's nuclear deterrent.

The peer asked: "Should the Government’s focus not be on maintaining continuous at-sea deterrence, which has been unbroken since 1969, but which the Minister and many others know is under increasing strain given the longevity of the Vanguard submarines and the delays in the Dreadnought class?

"Does not the whole focus of the Government need to be on ensuring that Dreadnought can come in in time to take the strain?

Responding, defence minister Baroness Goldie sought to allay any fears over the programme.

She said: "I reassure your Lordships that the Government are fully committed to maintaining that independent minimum credible nuclear deterrent based on a continuous at-sea deterrence posture.

"We do not anticipate any challenge to the transition from Vanguard to Dreadnought."

A major milestone in the construction of a nuclear submarine forming the new fleet was marked in Barrow last month.

BAE Systems celebrated the start of construction of the third Dreadnought class submarine with a steel-cutting ceremony at the shipyard.

Warspite is the third boat in the class, while construction of the first two boats, Dreadnought and Valiant, is already well underway.

Due to enter service from the early 2030s, the boats will carry the UK's nuclear deterrent and be the biggest, most powerful and technically advanced submarines ever delivered to the Royal Navy.

Alongside the Dreadnought Class, BAE in Barrow is delivering seven Astute Class hunter killer submarines, four of which are in-service with the Royal Navy.