Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Shipbuilding

Thursday 14 September 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister engaged with UK Chamber of Shipping and Maritime UK during London International Shipping Week.
  • Response acknowledged the importance of clear strategies following the disappointing contracts for difference auction outcome for offshore wind.
  • Minister discussed with Ministry of Defence and National Shipbuilding Office regarding the construction of fleet solid support vessels, emphasizing the use of UK steel.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Peter Aldous Con
Business & Trade
Context

During London International Shipping Week, the questioner inquired about specific actions to bolster the shipbuilding industry.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to support the shipbuilding sector. This includes concerns over the need for clear strategies and financial support for shipyards and related industries.

Answer from Nusrat Ghani

My hon. Friend asks a timely question, because this is London International Shipping Week, and I have engaged with the UK Chamber of Shipping and Maritime UK. This week, I was at the International Maritime Organisation, which was hosting an exhibition called “Rewriting women into maritime history”, sponsored by the Lloyd's Register Foundation—I mention in particular Nicola Good and Erne Janine, who made me this scarf reflecting on women in maritime. We are doing a huge amount, including launching the shipbuilding credit guarantee scheme to support our shipyards here in the UK.

Answered
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Q2 Peter Aldous Con
Energy Business & Trade
Context

Following a disappointing contracts for difference auction in the offshore wind sector, there is concern about strategies required to maintain global leadership.

Question

I am most grateful to my hon. Friend for that answer. The disappointing outcome of last week's contracts for difference auction in respect of offshore wind was a wake-up call that clear strategies are required if we are to retain our position as a global leader in that industry. That includes support for the supply chain, of which service operation vessels are a vital component. Can she confirm that the national shipbuilding strategy will be reviewed to fully take into account this great opportunity?

Answer from Nusrat Ghani

We are proud of the UK's reputation as a leader in the offshore wind sector. Together with industry, we have delivered the four largest operational wind farms in the world. The National Shipbuilding Office has done a huge amount of work in that area and will do even more with the new shipbuilding guarantee scheme. I think my hon. Friend's other question relates to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific review of the national shipbuilding strategy was not confirmed.

How: Related Department

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Q3 John Spellar Lab
Defence
Context

Concerns were raised about the allocation of contracts for building Royal Navy vessels to foreign shipyards, specifically Spanish yards.

Question

May I draw the Minister's attention to the fact that the three fleet solid support vessels for the Royal Navy are massive—equivalent to two aircraft carriers? Has she discussed with the Ministry of Defence why they will be built mostly in Spanish shipyards, rather than in British shipyards by British workers to sustain our shipbuilding industry? Does she know of any other shipbuilding country that behaves like this?

Answer from Nusrat Ghani

I have indeed discussed it with the Ministry of Defence and the National Shipbuilding Office. We want to make sure not only that the contracts for the work are managed here in the UK, but that we are using UK steel.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The reason behind building ships abroad was not addressed fully.

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