The Committee is correct to highlight the importance of workforce retention and movement. This is reflected in the substantial and long-term investment in our current and future skilled workforce for our nuclear defence programmes, with the specific enablers and successes of Team Barrow, Team Plymouth and the Nuclear Skills Plan. The UK defence nuclear sector is one of the most attractive and rewarding career destinations in the country. It offers highly skilled, well-paid employment opportunities; access to world-leading technologies; structured professional development; and the opportunity to contribute directly to national security. AUKUS represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to continue to grow the UK’s nuclear workforce, create high- value jobs, strengthen prosperity in communities across the country and reinforce the UK’s position as a global leader in defence nuclear capability. The Government is also clear that AUKUS is not a competition for talent between partners. It is a strategic partnership that is expanding the size, quality and resilience of the defence nuclear workforce across all three nations, while strengthening the UK’s position as a world leader in nuclear submarine design, build, operation and sustainment. Pillar I – The Optimal Pathway