Plan to halve number of nuclear subs

Britain could be left without a nuclear deterrent for 10 months of the year under a proposal backed by the Liberal Democrats to halve the number of Vanguard submarines.

It would cost thousands of jobs, infuriate America and risk an international crisis, defence sources say.

Danny Alexander, the Lib Dem Treasury chief secretary, will provoke a row with his Tory coalition colleagues and senior defence figures this week when he publishes a government review of alternatives to a full like-for-like replacement of the Trident nuclear deterrent.

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