Astute costs rise by £142m

The cost to the government of Barrow’s Astute submarine project has increased by £142m over the past year.

The rising cost of materials accounted for 41 per cent of the increase, wages for 17 per cent, and inflation for 16 per cent, says the National Audit Office.

Barrow is building four Astute class nuclear powered boats.

But despite the slap on costs there was good news for the town in the report.

Read more