Defence minister called to Portsmouth as city's fight to secure Royal Navy repair works rumbles on

CALLS to a top minister to '˜safeguard' Portsmouth's maritime engineering sector have been made by a city MP.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th Nov 2018, 17:27 BST
Updated 8th Jan 2019, 17:09 BST
A welder works on the aircraft carrier in Portsmouth. Photo: Ian HargreavesA welder works on the aircraft carrier in Portsmouth. Photo: Ian Hargreaves
A welder works on the aircraft carrier in Portsmouth. Photo: Ian Hargreaves

Stephen Morgan, Portsmouth South MP, demanded a meeting with defence procurement minister Stuart Andrew.

Mr Morgan also outlined the island's hopes to secure lucrative maintenance contracts for the navy's new Type 26 frigate, that will be based in Plymouth.

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Writing to Mr Andrew, he said: '˜Your government could safeguard the future of shipbuilding and repair work jobs, and jobs in the wider supply chain, by guaranteeing that all Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels will be built in the UK, in line with the approach taken by other European nations with advanced shipbuilding industries.

'˜As the aircraft carrier programme winds down and we look as a nation to future manufacturing and engineering works, I urge you to pay me a visit to meet with representatives in Portsmouth to provide assurances as a city we have a secure future of ship repair and maintenance work.'

Related topics:Stephen MorganPortsmouthRoyal NavyPlymouth