Like the National Flagship, new support ships should be designed and built in the UK

Prospect has responded to the Defence Secretary’s announcement that the new National Flagship will be designed in built and Britain by calling for the same rule to apply to new Fleet Solid Support ships being procured by the MOD.

The Defence Secretary Ben Wallace made the announcement in Greenwich on National Flagship Engagement Day, saying that the new vessel, which will mainly serve a diplomatic function, will be showcase UK shipbuilding expertise.

But Prospect have pointed out that the more valuable Fleet Solid Support contracts are still in danger of going to overseas bidders.

Sue Ferns, Prospect Senior Deputy General Secretary, said:

“The commitment to design and build the new flagship here in the UK is a welcome one, especially as building it abroad would have been a total farce.

“However this commitment from the government only further highlights the lack of the same guarantees around the fate of the Fleet Solid Support ships, which are far more valuable to UK shipyards.

“We need these ships to be designed and built in Britain, failure to commit to this undermines the Secretary of States’ warm words about championing the UK shipbuilding industry and risks jobs across the country.”