THE bill for storing and maintaining the UK's laid-up nuclear submarines has risen to more than £16m during the last five years.
The disused vessels have been stored at Rosyth in Fife since 1980 and Devonport in Plymouth since 1994.
Concerns have been raised about the hulks' safety by campaigners, who have slammed a "lack of decision" for the delay in dismantling the former warships.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said it took its duty to manage disposal of submarines "very seriously".
The figures came to light through a Freedom of Information request submitted to the MoD by the BBC.
Work to dismantle the subs has been postponed until a site for temporary storage of their radioactive reactors can be found.
A decision on a site is expected later this year after public consultation finished in February.
A test dismantling of a submarine at Rosyth is due to start in January next year, according to the MoD.
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