MP, Labour’s Shadow Defence
Secretary, responding to the announcement on the next
phase of the Type 26 Frigate programme, said:
“We welcome the go ahead for this second batch of world-class
warships being built in Britain. We now expect the Defence
Secretary to deliver them as the threats increase.
“But the Defence Secretary has already conceded that the Type 26
programme is delayed and over-budget, and since 2010 the
Conservatives have cut one in five of the Navy’s surface ships.
“Ministers must now place the Navy’s Fleet Solid Support ships
contract with British shipyards, as Labour in government would
do.
Ends
Notes
Government announcement:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/british-shipyard-awarded-42-billion-to-build-royal-navy-ships?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&utm_source=d665b05d-55fb-453a-9f56-3d0f808f0559&utm_content=immediately
Delays to Type 26:
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2022-11-02/hcws352
“…the Department is forecasting a twelve-month delay to the
Type 26 Initial Operating Capability (IOC) from October 2027 to
October 2028. A proportion of the associated cost growth will
fall to the Contractor as part of the Target Cost Incentive Fee
(TCIF) commercial arrangements. The resultant cost growth for the
MOD is 4.2% over forecast, which is £233 million over the life of
the programme.”
Concern over off-shoring of Fleet Solid Support ships:
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/tories-set-betray-british-workers-28388758
