‘Disastrous’ shipbuilding strategy of sending orders overseas

Uncertainty is killing investment in industry essential to our national security, says union

GMB, which represents workers in the shipbuilding and repair sector, has slammed Ministers’ refusal to commit to placing orders in UK yards in their National Shipbuilding Strategy refresh.

Gary Smith, GMB General Secretary, said:

“Ministers are again sowing uncertainty with their disastrous policy refusing to guarantee work for UK yards.

“The Government’s scheme of sending potentially every order overseas is killing investment.

“No other shipbuilding nation would dream of procuring its own vessels in this way.

“These jobs are essential to our national security. The world is becoming less stable and we need a clear industrial strategy for the defence sector that secures our capabilities at home.”