BAE Systems says that underlying earnings this year are likely to between five and 10 per cent higher this year than last year.

In a trading update to the stock market, it said that trading in 2016 has been in line “with management expectations”.

The report made particular mention of Barrow, where its shipyard has started work on a new fleet of submarines to carry the UK's nuclear deterrent.

The company said: “In the maritime domain, the UK Successor Submarine production programme has commenced with first steel cut and approximately £1.3bn of funding committed for the initial production award.”

An interim dividend of 8.6p per share will be paid on November 30 and the company is due to announce full-year results on February 23.