Renewing Britain's Trident nuclear missile system involves huge uncertainty when it comes to cost, design and management, according to a new report published today by the National Audit Office (NAO).

The report suggests the UK Government faces "significant challenges" over replacing Trident, and unless immediate action is taken a replacement will not be available when the current system ends.

SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson has welcomed the NAO findings, commenting: “The people of Scotland do not want nuclear weapons and it now seems that the UK Government cannot deliver them.

“Trident is wrong regardless of cost but this report adds strongly to the case against these weapons of mass destruction.

“The cost of Trident has spiralled out of control. The NAO report puts the lifetime cost of this project at about £30 billion and that is before we even consider the cost of a replacement. This is a costly waste of government's limited resources – particularly in the current economic climate."

Robertson has urged the UK Government to "listen to Scotland" that there is no support for nuclear weapons.