Labour leader Keir Starmer, ahead in the polls for the upcoming general election on July 4, has reaffirmed his party's support for the UK's nuclear weapons programme.

Starmer supports building new submarines and upgrading existing ones for continuous at-sea deterrence.

Concerns exist about the high cost of the programme and potential affordability issues.

Both Labour and the Conservatives have pledged to allocate 2.5% of GDP to defense, but fiscal rules may present challenges.

Critics argue that the nuclear budget could be better spent on public services.

Starmer asserts the importance of national security despite the criticisms.

The long-term sustainability of the programme hinges on potential cost overruns in the Ministry of Defence's plans.