Rishi Sunak has abandoned Boris Johnson's plan to build a new royal yacht, prioritising defence capabilities over the £250m 'vanity project' intended to promote post-Brexit trade. The decision comes as Whitehall braces for cuts expected in Jeremy Hunt's autumn statement next week.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace confirmed the termination of the national flagship competition on Monday, citing Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the need to safeguard national infrastructure. Instead, the government will procure a multi-role ocean surveillance ship (MRoss) to protect sensitive defence and civil infrastructure, including undersea cables.
Labour welcomed the scrapping of the project, which had already cost taxpayers £2.5m. Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey said the money would have been better spent on national defences, given growing threats and economic mismanagement.
Harland & Wolff, a finalist in the design procurement process, expressed disappointment but understood the rationale due to the macroeconomic environment and the situation in Ukraine. The Commons defence committee had previously questioned the vessel's advantage to the Royal Navy, warning of extra pressure on the armed forces.
