Fear for jobs if Navy ships built abroad

THOUSANDS of jobs would be at risk if support ships for new Royal Navy aircraft carriers are built abroad, unions warn today.

Last month a £1billion deal for three Fleet Solid Support Ships was opened to international bids.

Jobs could go once a second carrier is finished next year, the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions said.

Building FSS ships here would pump £215million into the Treasury, it added.

It accused the Government of using a loophole to say they are not warships, so can be built abroad.

The CSEU said: “Clearly these armed ships will play a key role in protecting carriers in combat.”