'New age of industrialisation' promised by Healey due to expansive Royal Navy infrastructure projects
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Billions of pounds will be pumped into military infrastructure with resolve long-standing problems
Major maritime projects will be at the centre of a “new age of industrialisation” for Britain, the Chancellor has pledged.
Former defence secretary John Healey has backed multi-billion pound investments into three of the Royal Navy’s bases. He believes they’ll play a vital role in strengthening British national security, generating high-skilled jobs and economic growth.
Outlined in the Defence Investment Plan (Dip), £26bn was set aside for the three Royal Navy bases. Portsmouth’s transformation programme, forecast to cost around £3.9bn, will involve upgrading jetties, berthing infrastructure and operational facilities.
Under Project Royal Oak, more jetties and berths will be built to bring them up to Nato standards. The Fountain Lake Jetty will be rebuilt alongside the construction of an oil fuel jetty.
Facilities at HMS Nelson will be regenerated alongside the Royal Navy Warfighting Centre and other parts of the shore establishment. Around £51bn will be invested across the defence estate between 2030 and 2035.
Mr Healey confirmed today that three new floating docks for the submarine service will be built at HMNB Clyde in Scotland. Under Project Euston, the new facilities will provide crucial maintenance for the Royal Navy’s fleet of nuclear submarines, allowing for essential inspections, upgrades and repairs.
This is desperately needed given the situation with the fleet of Astute-class submarines, with the majority of the submersibles needing refits and repairs. The chancellor also confirmed funding for a new marine research vessel. Set to be operational in the early 2030s, it will deliver core research on seas and oceans.
Mr Healey said both new projects will be delivered by UK companies, with the government pledging to buy British through actions rather than words. “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,” he added.
“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.”
Defence secretary Wes Streeting added: “Defence spending should make Britain stronger in every sense. That means backing British by buying British wherever our industry can deliver. HM Naval Base Clyde is at the heart of our submarine service. Programme Euston will modernise it for decades to come, while backing British shipyards, workers and engineering. That is defence driving the reindustrialisation of Britain and strengthening our sovereign capability.”
Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan, Labour, said: “The Secretary of State’s announcement not only continues this Government’s commitment to reindustrialising our city but also acknowledges the UK’s world-leading ship building capabilities and history, which Portsmouth has previously been a proud part of. We are using the power of public procurement to help bring back hope and deliver the jobs, skills and training that are the foundations of good growth.”