Delayed ships plan ‘shot in the arm’ for communities across UK

Prospect welcomes many recommendations in much-delayed UK ship building strategy.

The new strategy builds on the independent review of the sector carried out by Sir John Parker last year.

Garry Graham, deputy general secretary of Prospect said:

“The Minister’s announcement provides a shot in the arm for UK shipbuilding and will be welcomed by many local communities across the UK. Construction of the UK’s new aircraft carriers has shown that British industry can be creative and deliver complex ships on time through modular design.

“Prospect has argued consistently for a long term strategy to provide certainty and a platform that supports investment and we welcomed the ambition set out in Sir John Parker’s original report.”

In a significant win for defence trade unions like Prospect the government have accepted a recommendation originally made in Sir John’s report on the need to invest in skills working with trade unions and industry to deliver this.

The strategy also underlined the need for sufficient skilled roles being retained in government to champion UK ship builders and maximise exports.

Read more about the strategy’s impact for Rosyth here.

Prospect union represents more than 11,000 specialists, scientists, engineers and managers working in the defence industry. Despite the good news in the ship building strategy there is still uncertainty in the sector, with the Times reporting today of the possibility of defence equipment cuts in other areas, due in part to a decline in the value of the pound.

Prospect will always argue for government to set out a long term strategy for defence jobs, that sees world class skills maintained and improved in the UK.

If you work in the defence sector click here to find out more about joining Prospect.