Government continues Royal Navy support with pledge to back British shipbuilding

Labour has backed British shipyards with a multibillion-pound investment in three major maritime projects to strengthen national security, support skilled jobs and drive growth in every part of the UK. 

• Chancellor confirms three new floating docks for Royal Navy’s submarine service at HM Naval Base Clyde built in Britain to support Britain’s defence industrial base and secure key sovereign capabilities. 

• New marine research vessel to be built in British shipyard, backing coastal communities, sustainable fishing and long-term economic growth 

• Prime Minister and Chancellor joined a sea trial of new £26 million Royal Daffodil on Merseyside, the first new Mersey Ferry built in more than 60 years and a symbol of investment in British shipbuilding and regional growth. 

The Labour Government is backing British shipyards, strengthening national security and creating high-skilled jobs across the country. Two major maritime projects – worth billions of pounds – will be built in Britain, helping to drive growth, support local communities and secure the country’s long-term industrial capabilities. 

Chancellor John Healey has pledged a “new age of industrialisation” for Britain in his speech to the Labour Party conference as he confirmed the multi-billion-pound projects will be built by British workers, supporting thousands of jobs and a pipeline of small British businesses. 

Healey confirmed that the Royal Navy’s submarine service at HM Naval Base Clyde will receive three new floating docks – known as Programme Euston – through a UK-only competition, in light of their importance to national security and sovereign British industry. 

 The new facilities will provide crucial maintenance for the UK’s current and future fleet of nuclear submarines, allowing essential inspections, upgrades and repairs to be carried out. 

 In addition to this, the Chancellor has also committed to fund at least £115 million for a new marine research vessel to help protect our seas. Set to be operational in the early 2030s, it will continue the delivery of core research on our seas and oceans, replacing the current vessel which is nearing the end of its life. 

The evidence it collects will help ensure the security of our seas, support sustainable fishing and give coastal communities confidence that fish stocks are being managed for the future. 

 Both projects will be delivered by British companies, as part of a greater focus on how government spends taxpayers’ money to boost national security whilst also supporting British jobs and growth in local communities. 

The announcement follows the Prime Minister and Chancellor visiting Merseyside to highlight how the Labour Government is backing British industry and creating jobs in every part of the country. During this visit, they joined a sea trial aboard the Royal Daffodil, the first new Mersey Ferry built in more than 60 years and constructed at Birkenhead’s Cammell Laird shipyard.  

The ferry stands as a symbol of Britain’s industrial renewal and the Government’s commitment to supporting British manufacturers, strengthening key industries and delivering growth in every postcode. 

Stephen Morgan, the MP for Portsmouth South, said: “Through this major investment, this government is driving the reindustrialisation of Britain and strengthening our sovereign capability.  

“I am proud to be part of a government that remains committed to supporting our Royal Navy, with these announcements following £3.9 Billion allocated earlier this year to maintain our Naval Base and provide jobs and growth for our community.   

“As a Member of Parliament for Portsmouth, the heart and the home of the Royal Navy, I understand the importance of defence and supporting the UK’s Armed Forces.  

“Defence spending should make Britain stronger in every sense. That means backing British by buying British wherever our industry can deliver.” 

John Healey MP, Labour’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: “Britain has a proud shipbuilding heritage, and every pound of this strategic investment in a critical sector is backing British jobs on the Clyde and businesses across the UK, supporting growth in every postcode.

“By backing British shipyards, we are not only boosting national security but also securing resilience in the industries that will drive growth today while building the capabilities the country needs for the future.”