BARROW will be a 'thriving' place to work and live, a government minister has promised, with major investment flowing into the town through defence projects.

In a House of Lords debate, peers raised concerns over whether local infrastructure, including transport links, would be able to support the Aukus submarine programme.

The multi-billion project, part of an agreement between the UK, US and Australia, is due to support thousands of jobs in Barrow.

But peers have raised fears over whether the town can accommodate the project and attract workers.

Lord Risby, who initiated the Lord debate, said: "As Barrow is so pivotal to AUKUS, I must ask the Minister if he is satisfied that there is an adequate skills base there, what we are doing to upgrade it and whether the transportation system in and around Barrow is appropriate for the construction of AUKUS submarines."

Former Barrow MP Lord Walney said: "Our country needs more advanced engineers, full stop.

"It particularly needs to be able to attract them into this specific programme.

"Key to that, as the noble Lord, Lord Risby, said, is building up Barrow’s capability and the nuclear capability in Derby.

"Both those towns need the infrastructure to attract and sustain the significant rise in numbers that will be needed.

"This really is investing to save, because unless we can get the workforce up to speed, the cost overrun will dwarf anything that will be spent on the necessary infrastructure measures."

Lord Lee asked if there was a concern part of Barrow shipyard workforce might emigrate to Australia to work on submarine building, saying: "No doubt, Barrow has many attractions, but Australia is of course somewhat warmer."

Responding, defence minister the Earl of Minto said Barrow was playing a 'pivotal role' as 'a home of UK submarine-building'.

He added: "The Government have committed £5 million to support the long-term delivery board for Barrow and are working in close co-operation with Westmorland and Furness Council and BAE Systems to develop that community.

"With the infrastructure to support this ambition, it should be a thriving place for people to work and live.

"That includes local transportation and other community projects."

The debate came as Michael Gove, the levelling up, secretary, said he was 'committed personally' to 'ramping up' government support in Barrow.

Speaking at Convention of the North, he said new jobs in Barrow must also come alongside new housing, improved transport links and better education institutions.