Withdrawing funding for the Type 32 Frigate would be devastating

It has been reported that the Chancellor is considering withdrawing £2.5bn in funding for the Type 32 Frigate programme, ships that were due to be built in Rosyth.

This is the main contract still in the pipeline to bring work to Rosyth and comes after the government gave the contract for Fleet Solid Support ships to a Spanish led consortium.

Richard Hardy, Prospect’s Scottish National Secretary, said:

“The withdrawal of this funding would be devastating to Rosyth and to UK shipbuilding as a whole. The work for these frigates is a key part of the pipeline for Rosyth and if you take it away then you put the future of the shipyard at risk.

“This government has already sold out UK shipbuilding by giving the bulk of the work for the Fleet Solid Support ships to Spain. If they do withdraw this funding it will demonstrate that they care not one jot for the industry or for the UK’s sovereign defence capability.”