Ajax Programme: Cost

Answer from Jeremy Quin

As reported by the Infrastructure and Projects Authority in July 2021, the budgeted cost of Ajax is £6.354 billion to manufacture the vehicle and bring it to full operating capability and for its first period of service. Forecasts are updated twice yearly and our current forecast is that we will deliver under budget at £5.915 billion, though that is subject to change. That includes our £5.5 billion firm contract with General Dynamics.

Answer from Jeremy Quin

The hon. Gentleman is correct to say that I sounded an upbeat note in terms of the jobs in south Wales. We were right to commission the report. It was a thorough report and I believe it was right to publish it so that this House knew exactly where we stood on Ajax. On the question of employment, there are some 4,100 jobs across the country in 230 companies, and the programme is particularly important to south Wales. We have received a draft report from Millbrook, as I outlined in my last statement, and progress is being made.

Answer from Jeremy Quin

I congratulate my hon. Friend on her elevation; she refers to the approval process for Ajax, which was indeed under the last Labour Administration. I think it passed maingate business approval in March 2010, around the same time that the National Audit Office was pointing out the multi-billion pound black hole that the Labour party was leaving in Defence at the time. Fort Blockhouse will not be disposed of until 2023, so there is time to get it right.

Answer from Jeremy Quin

There is a whole raft of measures. We immediately accepted the vast majority of recommendations from the report. Important aspects include ensuring all relevant views on safety are part of the decision making process, and putting health and safety input into the highest ranks of the organisation.