The Government has said there are “no plans” to move the UK nuclear deterrent, after reports of secret contingency plans for the submarines in the event of Scottish independence.

The UK’s nuclear submarines are housed at Royal Navy bases in Coulport and Faslane on the west coast of Scotland, but “senior officials” have told the Financial Times that secret plans could see them moved to naval bases in the US or France if Scotland voted yes in a second referendum.

The newspaper also reported that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) could keep them within an independent Scotland by buying a long-term lease on the two naval bases, creating a new British Overseas Territory.

However, a spokesperson for the MoD denied there were any plans to move the submarines.

Reports Trident nuclear subs 'could be moved abroad' in event of Scottish independence