MPs hear from industry and union leaders on military shipbuilding and the future of the sector in Scotland
The Scottish Affairs Committee is holding its first evidence session as part of its Defence in Scotland: Military Shipbuilding inquiry, hearing from the ADS Group, the Society of Maritime Industries and the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions.
Military shipbuilding in Scotland currently supports 7,500 jobs in Scotland, many of which are highly skilled. Maintaining this employment, and a flourishing sector, relies on a regular ‘drumbeat’ of orders. However, in last year’s Defence and Security Industrial Strategy, the UK Government revised its shipbuilding strategy to allow the possibility of more open international competition, rather than all Royal Navy warships being designed and built solely in the UK. Unions have expressed concern that this position undermines the confidence that industry requires in order to invest.
Likely areas of questioning
This evidence session is likely to feature issues including:
- The military shipbuilding ‘drumbeat’ of orders in Scotland;
- Implications for Scotland of the 2022 National Shipbuilding Strategy Refresh;
- The procurement of Royal Navy warships including Fleet Solid Support ships;
- Military shipbuilding exports;
- Shipbuilding workforce, recruitment, skills and retention.