Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his speech at the Atlantic Future Forum on October 2021, what his policy is on UK involvement in the Fleet Solid Support Ship contract.

The Government's policy on UK involvement in the manufacture of the Fleet Solid Support ships remains unchanged.

It is an objective of the Fleet Solid Support ship competition to deliver UK social value in recognition of the opportunities for prosperity and levelling-up that the programme presents, maximising the social value contribution shipbuilding can make. This includes encouraging investment whilst balancing the need for value for money and a fully compliant solution.

The final contract for the manufacture of the fleet solid support ships will be awarded to a UK business, either solely or as part of a consortium. We have been clear that a significant proportion of the build work will be carried out in the UK.