£4bn shipbuilding pot ‘will deliver 150 new vessels in 30 years’

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. This will outline how the Government plans to support shipyards across the nation to upskill workers, create jobs, drive technology development, and ensure the industry “delivers on next-generation challenges”, Downing Street said. “Our refreshed strategy will see the sector galvanised at a crucial time for our economy and see a vital part of British industry expand and flourish.” But Chris Evans, Labour’s shadow defence procurement minister, said “ministers are failing to ensure ships are built in the UK and to secure local jobs”. “Labour is committed to a ‘British built by default’ approach to defence procurement which would build resilience in our supply chains and protect our security.” Sarah Kenny, chairwoman of Maritime UK, welcomed the refreshed strategy, saying shipbuilding communities can now “power the future prosperity of our island nation, as green engines for economic growth”. Ministers are failing to ensure ships are built in the UK and to secure local jobs Chris Evans, shadow defence procurement minister “We will be working closely with Government to ensure these ambitions are met, on our way to becoming the world’s most competitive maritime nation by 2050.” The UK’s shipbuilding industry currently supports 42,600 jobs across the UK, from Cornwall to Belfast and Govan, and contributes more than £2.8 billion to the economy, No 10 said.