Defence secretary Michael Fallon said that hundreds of jobs would be safeguarded at BAE’s Govan and Scotstoun yards on the River Clyde. An initial development deal worth over £860 million was signed in February 2015, and involved the construction of 13 ships. The fact that the numbers have been scaled back has concerned members of the GMB union and Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who also hit out at the delay in making the decision.
“The promise hasn’t been kept in full, so the number has reduced and there has been a real delay in getting this work started,” she said, adding that the delay had caused anxiety for the workforce at the yards. “Nevertheless, it’s a welcome announcement and I really hope now that it doesn’t slip any further and that the commitment that has been made today is delivered in full.”
The promise to build new Royal Navy ships on the Clyde was made before the Scottish independence referendum in 2014. The city of Glasgow has been synonymous with shipbuilding for over 300 years, and currently over 2,500 people in the city are employed in the industry, although this number has fallen in recent years.
Speaking to the BBC, Fallon called the decision a “huge moment for the Clyde”, adding that “this is work for the next 20 years”. He also said that the decision to build five smaller Type 31 frigates was ongoing and would not necessarily be given to the Clyde shipyards. However, he did suggest that BAE Systems would be in “pole position” to win the orders.
Kenny Jordan, the GMB Union’s regional coordinating officer, praised the skilled workforce of the two shipyards: “Our members have been living with uncertainty for too long,” he said. “This is a testament to the lobbying and campaigning that they have done over the last two years. We have a workforce at Govan and Scotstoun with world-class skills who are eager to get on with the job – and eager to see more work coming in the future.
“This announcement secures the future of shipbuilding on the upper Clyde, supports skilled jobs in manufacturing and will provide opportunities for apprentices and trainees, making sure we safeguard skills for the next generation.”
