The Prime Minister confirmed during Prime Minister’s Questions on September 11 that the ongoing Strategic Defence Review will ensure Fife, particularly Rosyth Dockyard, plays a crucial role in both national security and the UK’s economic growth, according to a statement made in the House of Commons.
Graeme Downie, MP for Dunfermline & Dollar, asked the Prime Minister to ensure the Strategic Defence Review team engages with the local supply chain in Fife, highlighting the importance of Rosyth in the construction of Type 31 frigates for the Royal Navy.
Downie said, “Fife has a proud defence and security heritage and in my constituency of Dunfermline & Dollar, that continues with the dockyard at Rosyth constructing Type-31 frigates for the Royal Navy and a supply chain of local SMEs employing thousands of people.”
He also underlined that the local workforce is vital to the UK’s future security, stating, “The future security of Scotland and the rest of the UK rests on the shoulders of places like Rosyth dockyard. That skilled workforce is ready, willing and able to deliver that security while helping support and grow the local economy in Dunfermline and across Fife.”
The Prime Minister, in his response, praised the workforce at Rosyth and confirmed the central role of the defence review in securing the region’s economic future, stating, “The strategic defence review will ensure that defence is central to security and to economic growth and prosperity.”
He also assured Downie that the review team would engage with local stakeholders, including businesses of all sizes, adding, “I will ensure he gets the chance to meet the relevant minister to discuss the particular issues in his constituency.”
Rosyth Dockyard employs over 1,700 people, with 150 apprentices and over 1,250 high-skilled jobs. The site plays a key role in the construction of the Type 31 frigates, which are expected to be fully operational by 2030.
Hopefully Graeme Downie rises in the labour ranks, last time we had a cabinet minister in fife the navy did very well.
get him IN
Nowt like trying to buy local votes. As if Rosyth is in any danger.
labour know all about buying local votes some of the Tyne yards were closed with the labour party believing at the time that it wouldn’t bad for the people there, were all working class and they would vote labour anyway.
Handy that this parliamentary question was asked a day or so after the rumours of Type 31 program suffering in defence cuts?
type 31 project should be increased for a much bigger order than just five. a public declaration to say T32 was not going to happen, in order to increase the T31 orders would suit me.
You could be right; that may be the right call. That said, I’ve had exchanges on this site with folks who argue the very validity of the GP frigate as a concept. They argue that every frigate needs to be able to detect and prosecute a submarine. So as a layman I need to butt out and leave it to the RN, who have decided that ASW is technically challenging and expensive and we can only afford and we only need 8 T26. As regards MCM motherships, patrol and other roles some say the 5 extra hulls need to be… Read more »
shame that it can’t show it’s real ability and potential, as it’s clogged up with rotting submarines
no Westminster is vital for the security of Scotland