Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to Great British Energy – Nuclear's Technical Advice on Potential Future Nuclear Power Plant Siting in Scotland report, what assessment he has made of the types of reactor technology that could be deployed at the sites identified in the report.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Great British Energy – Nuclear's (GBE N's) study of Scotland's potential for new nuclear indicates that it has land areas with high potential for future new nuclear development of all scales - microreactors, Small Modular Reactors, Advanced Modular Reactors, and gigawatt-scale reactors.

While the Scottish Government currently opposes new nuclear power stations, UK Ministers remain open to discussions regarding opportunities for new nuclear in Scotland.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to Great British Energy – Nuclear's Technical Advice on Potential Future Nuclear Power Plant Siting in Scotland report, what estimate he has made of the number of jobs that could be supported by new nuclear developments at the sites identified in the report.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

GBE N's study of Scotland's potential for new nuclear indicates that it has land areas with high potential for future development.

New nuclear projects can deliver billions of pounds of investment and thousands of high-quality jobs to a region. While the Scottish Government currently opposes new nuclear power stations, UK Ministers remain open to discussions regarding opportunities for new nuclear in Scotland.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to Great British Energy – Nuclear's Technical Advice on Potential Future Nuclear Power Plant Siting in Scotland report, what assessment he has made of the potential generating capacity that could be delivered if new nuclear power stations were developed at the sites identified in the report.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

GBE N's study of Scotland's potential for new nuclear identified potential land areas rather than specific sites, and does not make an assessment of potential generating capacity.

However, the report indicates that Scotland has land areas with high potential for future development and UK Ministers remain open to discussions regarding opportunities for new nuclear in Scotland.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has held with representatives of the Scottish shipbuilding industry on the impact of changes to Royal Navy procurement plans on investment and workforce retention.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) has committed to a pipeline of work in Type 26 and Type 31 construction which will employ the prime Scottish shipyards (BAE Systems and Babcock) well into the 2030s, securing thousands of jobs and millions of pounds of economic benefit to the local areas.

Delivering world-leading anti-air warfare capability for the Royal Navy has always been a priority for this department as set out in the Strategic Defence Review and the DIP. The Type 83 destroyer was an early-stage concept, and no decisions had been made on where and how it would be delivered.

The DIP made commitments to the Common Combat Vessels and Type 9x autonomous vessels as part of the hybrid navy. This work presents a substantial and exciting opportunity for Scottish shipyards, boatyards and technology companies to sustain and create jobs across the shipbuilding enterprise and supply chain.

The Government is focused on providing a clear and transparent pipeline of work in support of the Royal Navy and as a spur to sectoral growth.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the planned Common Combat Vessel programme will deliver an equivalent pipeline of work for Scottish yards to that anticipated under the Type 83 destroyer programme.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) has committed to a pipeline of work in Type 26 and Type 31 construction which will employ the prime Scottish shipyards (BAE Systems and Babcock) well into the 2030s, securing thousands of jobs and millions of pounds of economic benefit to the local areas.

Delivering world-leading anti-air warfare capability for the Royal Navy has always been a priority for this department as set out in the Strategic Defence Review and the DIP. The Type 83 destroyer was an early-stage concept, and no decisions had been made on where and how it would be delivered.

The DIP made commitments to the Common Combat Vessels and Type 9x autonomous vessels as part of the hybrid navy. This work presents a substantial and exciting opportunity for Scottish shipyards, boatyards and technology companies to sustain and create jobs across the shipbuilding enterprise and supply chain.

The Government is focused on providing a clear and transparent pipeline of work in support of the Royal Navy and as a spur to sectoral growth.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to Great British Energy – Nuclear's Technical Advice on Potential Future Nuclear Power Plant Siting in Scotland report, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the report's findings.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Ministers commissioned GBE N's study of Scotland's potential for new nuclear last autumn.

The study indicates that Scotland has land areas with high potential for future development.

We remain open to discussions with the Scottish Government regarding opportunities for new nuclear in Scotland.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on employment at BAE Systems’ shipyards on the Clyde of the decision to cancel or not proceed with the Type 83 destroyer programme.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) has committed to a pipeline of work in Type 26 and Type 31 construction which will employ the prime Scottish shipyards (BAE Systems and Babcock) well into the 2030s, securing thousands of jobs and millions of pounds of economic benefit to the local areas.

Delivering world-leading anti-air warfare capability for the Royal Navy has always been a priority for this department as set out in the Strategic Defence Review and the DIP. The Type 83 destroyer was an early-stage concept, and no decisions had been made on where and how it would be delivered.

The DIP made commitments to the Common Combat Vessels and Type 9x autonomous vessels as part of the hybrid navy. This work presents a substantial and exciting opportunity for Scottish shipyards, boatyards and technology companies to sustain and create jobs across the shipbuilding enterprise and supply chain.

The Government is focused on providing a clear and transparent pipeline of work in support of the Royal Navy and as a spur to sectoral growth.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the loss of potential work for Scottish shipbuilding under the Type 83 programme, including at yards in Govan, Scotstoun and Rosyth.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) has committed to a pipeline of work in Type 26 and Type 31 construction which will employ the prime Scottish shipyards (BAE Systems and Babcock) well into the 2030s, securing thousands of jobs and millions of pounds of economic benefit to the local areas.

Delivering world-leading anti-air warfare capability for the Royal Navy has always been a priority for this department as set out in the Strategic Defence Review and the DIP. The Type 83 destroyer was an early-stage concept, and no decisions had been made on where and how it would be delivered.

The DIP made commitments to the Common Combat Vessels and Type 9x autonomous vessels as part of the hybrid navy. This work presents a substantial and exciting opportunity for Scottish shipyards, boatyards and technology companies to sustain and create jobs across the shipbuilding enterprise and supply chain.

The Government is focused on providing a clear and transparent pipeline of work in support of the Royal Navy and as a spur to sectoral growth.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the decision to move away from destroyer-led air defence fleets at a time when other major naval powers are increasing the size of their destroyer fleets.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Royal Navy continues to maintain a highly capable maritime air defence force centred on the Type 45 Destroyer fleet. This will be initially enhanced, then replaced by components within the Hybrid Navy concept including the Common Combat Vessel, Type 91 uncrewed missile platform and Type 94 uncrewed Radar platform. There is a considerable body of evidence behind the Hybrid Navy concept which shows an increase in capability, survivability, and adaptability. We continue to work with partner nations who are exploring similar concepts.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on the Royal Navy’s high-end air defence capability of cancelling a planned class of up to eight Type 83 destroyers intended to replace the Type 45 fleet.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The role of Maritime Air Defence, currently delivered by Type 45 Destroyers, will be delivered in the future by a mix of crewed Common Combat Vessels and uncrewed, autonomous missile (Type 91) and sensor (Type 94) ships.

The decision to move to this hybrid approach was taken after detailed analysis of current and future threats, including lessons from ongoing conflicts. The specific analysis is necessarily classified, but the mix of crewed and uncrewed systems will produce a more flexible force, with greater missile capacity while also improving mass. The alternative, an expensive, exquisite platform such as the Type 83, would have resulted in too few ships to cover all the Royal Navy’s tasks, increasing risk. Detailed planning for the transition between Type 45 and the Hybrid Navy Maritime Air Defence capability will be undertaken in consultation with industry, which will determine whether a Type 45 extension is implemented. A final decision is not expected until 2027-28.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on the Royal Navy’s high-end air defence capability of cancelling a planned class of up to eight Type 83 destroyers intended to replace the Type 45 fleet.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The role of Maritime Air Defence, currently delivered by Type 45 Destroyers, will be delivered in the future by a mix of crewed Common Combat Vessels and uncrewed, autonomous missile (Type 91) and sensor (Type 94) ships.

The decision to move to this hybrid approach was taken after detailed analysis of current and future threats, including lessons from ongoing conflicts. The specific analysis is necessarily classified, but the mix of crewed and uncrewed systems will produce a more flexible force, with greater missile capacity while also improving mass. The alternative, an expensive, exquisite platform such as the Type 83, would have resulted in too few ships to cover all the Royal Navy’s tasks, increasing risk. Detailed planning for the transition between Type 45 and the Hybrid Navy Maritime Air Defence capability will be undertaken in consultation with industry, which will determine whether a Type 45 extension is implemented. A final decision is not expected until 2027-28.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made an assessment of the potential risks in maritime air defence capability as the Type 45 destroyers approach retirement without a replacement.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The role of Maritime Air Defence, currently delivered by Type 45 Destroyers, will be delivered in the future by a mix of crewed Common Combat Vessels and uncrewed, autonomous missile (Type 91) and sensor (Type 94) ships.

The decision to move to this hybrid approach was taken after detailed analysis of current and future threats, including lessons from ongoing conflicts. The specific analysis is necessarily classified, but the mix of crewed and uncrewed systems will produce a more flexible force, with greater missile capacity while also improving mass. The alternative, an expensive, exquisite platform such as the Type 83, would have resulted in too few ships to cover all the Royal Navy’s tasks, increasing risk. Detailed planning for the transition between Type 45 and the Hybrid Navy Maritime Air Defence capability will be undertaken in consultation with industry, which will determine whether a Type 45 extension is implemented. A final decision is not expected until 2027-28.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what analysis was used for the decision to replace the Type 83 programme with a hybrid navy approach.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The role of Maritime Air Defence, currently delivered by Type 45 Destroyers, will be delivered in the future by a mix of crewed Common Combat Vessels and uncrewed, autonomous missile (Type 91) and sensor (Type 94) ships.

The decision to move to this hybrid approach was taken after detailed analysis of current and future threats, including lessons from ongoing conflicts. The specific analysis is necessarily classified, but the mix of crewed and uncrewed systems will produce a more flexible force, with greater missile capacity while also improving mass. The alternative, an expensive, exquisite platform such as the Type 83, would have resulted in too few ships to cover all the Royal Navy’s tasks, increasing risk. Detailed planning for the transition between Type 45 and the Hybrid Navy Maritime Air Defence capability will be undertaken in consultation with industry, which will determine whether a Type 45 extension is implemented. A final decision is not expected until 2027-28.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many crewed surface combatants he expects the Royal Navy to operate in the 2030s under the revised fleet model and how this compares with previous plans.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The exact mix of platforms and timing will be the subject of detailed further work that remains sensitive. Beyond 2030, the Royal Navy will move increasingly toward a hybrid model; crewed where necessary, uncrewed where possible to increase the total number of platforms. The number of smaller autonomous vessels, supporting the larger ships, will enable the Navy to increase its mass – meaning it can be in more places, over a wider area, for longer.