The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that no decision has yet been made on appointing a new shipbuilding tsar to oversee the revitalisation of the UK’s shipbuilding industry.
Responding to a parliamentary question from Baroness Goldie, Lord Coaker, Minister of State for the Ministry of Defence, emphasised that while the role remains under consideration, ministers are actively engaged in shaping shipbuilding policy.
“UK shipbuilding is a vital pillar of our Defence industrial base and, as a high-growth sector, will play an important role in our ambitions to secure the nation, kick-start economic growth and become a clean energy superpower,” Lord Coaker stated.
The UK shipbuilding tsar is a government-appointed role aimed at overseeing and driving the development of the nation’s shipbuilding industry. The position plays a strategic leadership role in ensuring the successful implementation of the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), focusing on modernising the sector, enhancing competitiveness, and securing long-term sustainability.
Key responsibilities include fostering innovation, promoting exports, and collaborating with industry to strengthen the workforce and supply chains. The role is also integral to advancing green technologies, such as sustainable propulsion systems, and boosting the economic impact of shipbuilding in coastal communities.
Historically, the shipbuilding tsar has served as a critical liaison between the government and industry. The position supports efforts to align government policy with industry needs, enabling the delivery of vital defence and commercial shipbuilding programmes. The role involves coordinating cross-departmental initiatives, such as investment in naval shipbuilding, workforce development, and export promotion.
Ok another level of civil servants then because the Tzar will need his minions won’t he?
I stopped at “clean energy superpower” lol!
I just read China and India will increase use of coal next 3 years so yep this lead by example is really working !!!! The reality is if we miss net zero by a few years or few % or both it won’t make a difference to the planet, in the end we’ll be faction of a % of global emissions, so its not sensible or relevant to set ourselves such stringent targets.
Just don’t vote for the red, blue, yellow, green uni party.
Well let hope its someone with actual experience, it appears that the team select by the government to shape the industrial strategy is largely devoid of industrialists!!!
As is anyone in the civil service.
Knowledge and experience and frowned upon…
“UK shipbuilding is a vital pillar of our Defence industrial base and, as a high-growth sector, will play an important role in our ambitions to secure the nation, kick-start economic growth and become a clean energy superpower,” Lord Coaker stated.’
Shorter version for those in a hurry: They haven’t got a clue.
Is the MOD the slowest organisation on the planet. It does everything as slowly as possible and just hopes whatever the issue is it will go away. Like a teenager having to do some homework.
Nope – this is a political appointee.
MOD will have input but ultimately it is ministerial.
For goodness sake, shouldn’t this “tzar” person have already been in place years ago? Lets hope the UK gets the Norwegian T26 order and some more A140/T31 orders happen.
Had to check as I was going to write “Czar” , but it looks like they’re both okay.
Great idea, sheer genius. Firstly the post non-sensible irony of a Russian title, really? Oh yes the drugs czar, inner city czar and all the other £100k a year morons we have had over the years worked so well didn’t they? Would the czar have stopped Harland and Wolff being thrown away by the new Labour industrialists? Doubt it. Just build more ships quicker than we are now is what we need not some civil servant puke in Whitehall