MPs set to vote on renewal of Trident nuclear weapons system

MPs are due to decide on whether to renew Britain’s nuclear weapons programme in a Commons vote.

A vote will take place to decide on whether to press ahead with the manufacture of the next generation of nuclear submarines.

In a statement to parliament, Prime Minister Theresa May said: "We cannot abandon our ultimate safeguard out of misplaced idealism. That would be a reckless gamble. The nuclear threat has not gone away. If anything, it has increased. In the face of such strong evidence, it would be sheer madness to contemplate even for a moment giving up Britain's independent nuclear deterrent.”

A number of MPs, including Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn have opposed the renewal, along with the SNP which has called for the vote to be delayed to allow ‘proper scrutiny’.