Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 40 of the policy paper entitled Refresh to the National Shipbuilding Strategy, published on 10 March 2022, whether the Shipbuilding Enterprise for Growth Group has identified priority aspects of the shipbuilding value chain where centres of excellence would be expected to operate.

As part of its work programme, the Shipbuilding Enterprise for Growth has created a Task and Finish group which is focussed on Centres of Excellence. That group is conducting analysis of the market, including initial gap analysis, and will deliver findings to the Shipbuilding Enterprise for Growth (SEG) for consideration by summer 2024.

In addition, the Shipyard of the Future Task and Finish group continues to engage with Industry stakeholders and with others including the Catapult network to consider options including self-assessment and will consider funding requirements as part of this.