Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to (1) protect jobs, and (2) boost productivity, in the UK shipbuilding industry.

The National Shipbuilding Strategy published in 2017 set out how the Ministry of Defence would transform the way it procures naval ships. The Strategy committed the government to work with the industry to improve public procurement, increase trade and drive innovation.

An industry led Maritime Enterprise Working Group is undertaking a long-term programme of improvements for the UK shipbuilding industry. Its membership includes the major UK shipbuilders, government and universities.

The Group commissioned a Shipbuilding Market Evaluation and Competitiveness Study that is due to report shortly. The findings of the study will enable the UK shipbuilding industry to focus on specific productivity improvements based on the opportunities for the industry in terms of the domestic and international markets for commercial and naval ships, which could secure jobs for the long term.