Labour will consider cutting number of nuclear submarines, says Balls

Ed Balls has said Labour will consider cutting the number of the UK’s nuclear submarines in a move that could help pave the way to a post-election deal with the SNP.

The shadow chancellor said the party was committed to a continuous at-sea deterrent, but difficult questions would need to be answered during the next defence review, including whether the job could be done with three rather than four boats.

The SNP is committed to scrapping Trident but Nicola Sturgeon, the party leader, hinted that it might not be an obstacle to a deal with Labour. She has said a pact could be done on a vote-by-vote basis.

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