Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with Navantia UK about the role of the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast in delivering the National Shipbuilding Strategy.

Navantia’s purchase of Harland and Wolff is a significant investment into the UK’s industrial base and demonstrates Navantia UK’s (NUK) continuing commitment to the UK. This investment will further strengthen UK capability, modernising the shipbuilding facilities in Belfast and leading to increased productivity and capacity.

NUK’s delivery of the Fleet Solid Support contract and the provisions within are delivering against key aspects of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, including greater UK content and build, inward investment, engagement with SMEs and shipyard recapitalisation.

The National Shipbuilding Office is committed to working with the whole shipbuilding industry, including NUK, in supporting jobs and sustaining and growing our shipbuilding sector across the UK.