Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure the use of UK-supplied components in the procurement of vessels for Border Force.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
We are engaging with the market on the basis of a UK-led build, using the Defence and Security provisions within the Procurement Act 2023, under which the majority of the construction, fabrication, assembly, outfitting and commissioning, and support of the vessels is undertaken in the UK or British Overseas Territory / Crown Dependency.
Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to the National Shipbuilding Strategy in the procurement of vessels for Border Force.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
We are continuing to engage suppliers on the basis of a UK-led build, using the Defence and Security provisions within the Procurement Act 2023 where appropriate. This approach is consistent with the government's commitment to back British businesses and a sustainable and successful shipbuilding and maritime technology sector and to ensure value for money and deliverability. My officials are working closely with the National Shipbuilding Office.
Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made on the procurement of vessels for Border Force.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
We are continuing to engage suppliers on the basis of a UK-led build, using the Defence and Security provisions within the Procurement Act 2023 where appropriate. This approach is consistent with the government's commitment to back British businesses and a sustainable and successful shipbuilding and maritime technology sector and to ensure value for money and deliverability. My officials are working closely with the National Shipbuilding Office.
Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of awarding the contract for vessels for Border Force to UK shipyards on the number of jobs and apprenticeships.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
A dynamic UK shipbuilding sector has potential to play a key role in creating and sustaining jobs and in ensuring shared prosperity around the country. The Maritime Capabilities Replacement Programme procurement will require all bidders to deliver social value, with fair work and resilient supply chains identified as key priorities.
Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of shipbuilding jobs in Britain that will be secured by the procurement of floating docks under Programme EUSTON.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
With design work already underway, the Department intends to place a contract for the manufacture of the floating docks following production of the technical specification and upon completion of a procurement process.
While not formally under the scope of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, the analogous shipbuilding sector is well placed to participate in an upcoming procurement for the floating docks. As such, the National Shipbuilding Office has been consulted as part of the next investment decision point. Until the outcome of that next investment decision point is known, it is too early to provide information on job creation.
Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they considered the National Shipbuilding Strategy in awarding the contract for the construction of floating docks under Programme EUSTON.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
With design work already underway, the Department intends to place a contract for the manufacture of the floating docks following production of the technical specification and upon completion of a procurement process.
While not formally under the scope of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, the analogous shipbuilding sector is well placed to participate in an upcoming procurement for the floating docks. As such, the National Shipbuilding Office has been consulted as part of the next investment decision point. Until the outcome of that next investment decision point is known, it is too early to provide information on job creation.
Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the National Shipbuilding Office regarding the procurement of floating docks under Programme EUSTON.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
With design work already underway, the Department intends to place a contract for the manufacture of the floating docks following production of the technical specification and upon completion of a procurement process.
While not formally under the scope of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, the analogous shipbuilding sector is well placed to participate in an upcoming procurement for the floating docks. As such, the National Shipbuilding Office has been consulted as part of the next investment decision point. Until the outcome of that next investment decision point is known, it is too early to provide information on job creation.
Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they will award contracts under Programme EUSTON.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
With design work already underway, the Department intends to place a contract for the manufacture of the floating docks following production of the technical specification and upon completion of a procurement process.
While not formally under the scope of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, the analogous shipbuilding sector is well placed to participate in an upcoming procurement for the floating docks. As such, the National Shipbuilding Office has been consulted as part of the next investment decision point. Until the outcome of that next investment decision point is known, it is too early to provide information on job creation.
Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they had with Serco prior to awarding the Defence Marine Services Next Generation Contracts about the ability of UK shipyards to build the vessels required under the contract.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Prior to awarding the Defence Marine Services Next Generation In-Port Services contract in April 2025, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) conducted several rounds of market engagement activities to encourage participation from across the UK shipbuilding sector, including Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. The intention was to maximise domestic involvement.
Despite these efforts, only a single compliant bid was received, necessitating a single-source approach to maintain programme momentum and ensure continuity of essential services. Serco was free to select its subcontractors, and the MOD was not permitted to require Serco to discriminate on grounds of nationality. The selection of Damen was based on Serco’s assessment of programme requirements and was consistent with all applicable procurement regulations. Damen Shipyards Group was selected by Serco.
The Procurement Act, which came into force in February 2025, offers greater flexibility to prioritise British companies in strategically important sectors such as shipbuilding.
Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government which minister in the Ministry of Defence has responsibility for the National Shipbuilding Office, and how many times they have met in the past six months.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry oversees the work of the National Shipbuilding Office (NSO) in the Ministry of Defence. The NSO also works closely with Ministers and their officials in all Departments with interests in shipbuilding.
The National Shipbuilding Office's senior leadership has attended several meetings in the past six months with either the current Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry or his predecessor as Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry. The team continues to engage with the Minister formally and informally on an ongoing basis, including through his chairing of the Small Ministerial Group on Shipbuilding.