Pledges made by the Chancellor present a “huge opportunity” for Scottish manufacturing, Douglas Alexander has said.
In his first Labour Party conference speech since taking over at the Treasury, John Healey announced a £6 billion boost for shipbuilding in the UK including the building of three floating docks for the HM Naval Base Clyde at Faslane.
Scottish Secretary's response
Speaking to the Press Association after the announcement, the Scottish Secretary said the work could be done in Scotland, but could not guarantee it. One of the contenders for the work is the Methil shipyard in Fife, which is owned by Spanish state-owned firm Navantia.
The yard was bought from Harland and Wolff in 2024 in a deal supported by both the Scottish and UK Governments.
Methil yard's future
“Look at what we did in relation to the Methil yard,” Mr Alexander said. “It was under immediate threat of administration when we gained power, that’s why a deal was brokered to bring it into the ownership of Navantia.”
“Navantia have been looking for us to guarantee work going forward, what we heard from John Healey today was a commitment that we will build the new floating docks for Faslane here in the United Kingdom.”
“That’s a huge opportunity for Methil, as surely as it is an opportunity for other yards across the UK. That’s the kind of practical help I think Scottish workers want to see.”
Procurement process
But asked if he could guarantee the work would be done north of the border, the Scottish Secretary said: “There’s a proper procurement process that needs to be followed, but I have great confidence in Scottish workers and Scottish yards.”
He added: “There are huge opportunities and a defence dividend that come from being part of the United Kingdom and what we heard from John Healey today was just the latest step on that journey.”
