Trident white paper

Trident white paper is due today

Monday, 04, Dec 2006 12:00

The government will today publish a white paper on the future of Britain's nuclear weapons system, Trident.

Ministers will set out their preferred options for when it expires in the next 20 years. The white paper will be followed by a three-month consultation and a vote among MPs early next year.

Tony Blair and Gordon Brown both support keeping some kind of nuclear deterrent, although many Labour MPs argue it should give this up.

The Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats believe Trident should be replaced, but the latter argue the number of nuclear warheads Britain owns should be cut from 200 to 100 as proof of the government's commitment to nuclear disarmament.

The debate is likely to focus on what should replace the current system, when it should happen and how much it will cost – current estimates range from £15 billion to £30 billion.

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