Defence minister to visit Rosyth dockyard and meet workforce

A Fife MP battling to safeguard dockyard jobs has secured a visit from the Defence Procurement Minister.

Dunfermline and West Fife MP Douglas Chapman has long asked for a defence minister to see the professionalism of the Rosyth workforce.

Following the cabinet reshuffle, MP Guto Bebb will visit the yard next week.

Mr Chapman, who is SNP shadow defence procurement spokesman, said: “I make no apology for banging the drum about the skills of the Rosyth workforce in the House of Commons and I have been asking for some time for a defence minister to visit Rosyth to truly appreciate the yard’s industrial infrastructure as well as seeing first hand the skills and talents of the workforce.

“With the second aircraft carrier approaching completion I really want to see new work coming to Scottish yards like Rosyth and the first huge hope has been new ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary which are responsible for getting vital supplies to the front line.

“Recent decisions by the Tory government have already awarded some of these new RFA ship contracts to Korea and that unfortunate experience has shown that building these ships here in Scotland would provide better value for the taxpayer.”

The MP said another opportunity was for the new Type 31e Royal Navy frigates, where Babcock has joined a consortium to take on the design and build.

“One body blow to these contracts has been the recent National Audit Office revelation that the MoD have not allocated any budget for these ships and that’s something that must be put right if Tory government promises are to be delivered.”

He is also urging the carriers refit programme to be brought to Rosyth.

“We have to keep these skills in Rosyth and having a steady and constant drumbeat of new ship orders and refit work is important,” he added.