Asked by: Baroness Goldie (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what major projects the National Shipbuilding Office expects to be engaged in between now and July 2025.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The National Shipbuilding Office (NSO) engages extensively in a wide range of shipbuilding pipeline programmes both formally and informally.
Regarding the cross-Government shipbuilding pipeline, the NSO regularly participates in programme boards and decision-making panels to ensure coherence and promote best practice. NSO officials also work directly with programme, commercial and legal teams, and the shipbuilding sector to support the strategic delivery of all these major projects.
On an ongoing basis, the NSO has engaged in some capacity in the following programmes since 1 July 2024, and expects to remain engaged in some capacity between now and July 2025:
Programme | Department |
Defence Programmes (by programme maturity) | |
Type 26 Build | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Type 31 Build | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Ministry of Defence Police Launches | Ministry of Defence; Ministry of Defence Police |
Fleet Solid Support | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Defence Marine Services – Next Generation | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Type 31 Support | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Boats In-Service Support 2026 | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy; Army; Strategic Command |
Naval Support Integrated Global Network | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Programme Euston | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Multi-Role Strike Ship | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Future Air Dominance System | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Commando Force – Surface Manoeuvre | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Future Military Data Gathering | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Mine Hunting Capability | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Strategic Sealift – Future | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Submarine Delivery Agency Roll-on, Roll-off | Ministry of Defence; Submarine Delivery Agency |
Project Powerful | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Other Government Department Programmes (by programme maturity) | |
Northern Lighthouse Vessel Pole Star | Northern Lighthouse Board (Department for Transport) |
Northeastern Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority vessel | Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs |
Sussex Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority vessel | Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs |
Kent & Essex Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority vessel | Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs |
Border Force Cutters Ship Life Extension Programme | Home Office |
Border Force Coastal Patrol Vessels Ship Life Extension Programme | Home Office |
Fair Isle Ferry Replacement | Shetland Islands Council (Department for Transport part-funded) |
Maritime Capability Replacement Programme | Home Office |
Futures Afloat | Trinity House (Department for Transport) |
Research Vessel Endeavour | Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Sciences |
Nuclear Transport Solutions Roll-on, Roll-off | Department for Energy Security and Net Zero |
Local and Devolved Government Programmes (by programme maturity) | |
Motor Vessel Jura: Offboard Boat | Scottish Government |
Scottish small ferries replacement programme | Scottish Government |
Devon & Cornwall Constabulary Diving Vessel | Devon & Cornwall Constabulary |
Marine Scotland vessel replacement | Scottish Government |
Corran Ferry Replacement | Highland Council (Scottish and UK Governments) |
Lower Dart Ferry Replacement | Devon County Council |
The NSO also expects to be engaged in some capacity in the following programmes between now and July 2025:
Programme | Department |
Defence Programmes (by programme maturity) | |
Ice Patrol | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Local and Devolved Government Programmes (by programme maturity) | |
Further Scottish Ferry Replacements | Scottish Government |
Windermere Ferry Replacement | Westmorland & Furness Council |
Asked by: Baroness Goldie (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what major projects the National Shipbuilding Office has engaged in since 1 July.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The National Shipbuilding Office (NSO) engages extensively in a wide range of shipbuilding pipeline programmes both formally and informally.
Regarding the cross-Government shipbuilding pipeline, the NSO regularly participates in programme boards and decision-making panels to ensure coherence and promote best practice. NSO officials also work directly with programme, commercial and legal teams, and the shipbuilding sector to support the strategic delivery of all these major projects.
On an ongoing basis, the NSO has engaged in some capacity in the following programmes since 1 July 2024, and expects to remain engaged in some capacity between now and July 2025:
Programme | Department |
Defence Programmes (by programme maturity) | |
Type 26 Build | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Type 31 Build | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Ministry of Defence Police Launches | Ministry of Defence; Ministry of Defence Police |
Fleet Solid Support | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Defence Marine Services – Next Generation | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Type 31 Support | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Boats In-Service Support 2026 | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy; Army; Strategic Command |
Naval Support Integrated Global Network | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Programme Euston | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Multi-Role Strike Ship | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Future Air Dominance System | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Commando Force – Surface Manoeuvre | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Future Military Data Gathering | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Mine Hunting Capability | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Strategic Sealift – Future | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Submarine Delivery Agency Roll-on, Roll-off | Ministry of Defence; Submarine Delivery Agency |
Project Powerful | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Other Government Department Programmes (by programme maturity) | |
Northern Lighthouse Vessel Pole Star | Northern Lighthouse Board (Department for Transport) |
Northeastern Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority vessel | Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs |
Sussex Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority vessel | Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs |
Kent & Essex Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority vessel | Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs |
Border Force Cutters Ship Life Extension Programme | Home Office |
Border Force Coastal Patrol Vessels Ship Life Extension Programme | Home Office |
Fair Isle Ferry Replacement | Shetland Islands Council (Department for Transport part-funded) |
Maritime Capability Replacement Programme | Home Office |
Futures Afloat | Trinity House (Department for Transport) |
Research Vessel Endeavour | Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Sciences |
Nuclear Transport Solutions Roll-on, Roll-off | Department for Energy Security and Net Zero |
Local and Devolved Government Programmes (by programme maturity) | |
Motor Vessel Jura: Offboard Boat | Scottish Government |
Scottish small ferries replacement programme | Scottish Government |
Devon & Cornwall Constabulary Diving Vessel | Devon & Cornwall Constabulary |
Marine Scotland vessel replacement | Scottish Government |
Corran Ferry Replacement | Highland Council (Scottish and UK Governments) |
Lower Dart Ferry Replacement | Devon County Council |
The NSO also expects to be engaged in some capacity in the following programmes between now and July 2025:
Programme | Department |
Defence Programmes (by programme maturity) | |
Ice Patrol | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Local and Devolved Government Programmes (by programme maturity) | |
Further Scottish Ferry Replacements | Scottish Government |
Windermere Ferry Replacement | Westmorland & Furness Council |
Asked by: Claire Young (Liberal Democrat - Thornbury and Yate)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he is taking steps to use maritime spatial planning to identify areas with high potential for the development of offshore wind energy.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
In October 2024, the UK, Scottish and Welsh governments jointly commissioned the NESO to produce a Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) for Great Britain. This more strategic approach to planning will help accelerate the government’s clean energy superpower mission, including through the development of offshore wind.
This first SSEP will cover infrastructure for power generation, including offshore generation in Great British waters, so that the government can create a more efficient electricity network and reduce waiting times for generation projects to connect to the grid. This will move to a whole energy system plan in future iterations.
The SSEP will sit alongside the existing Marine Spatial Prioritisation programme, as well as wider planning reform, whilst respecting devolved competencies.
Asked by: Alex Easton (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure that the deployment of offshore renewables does not impact on blue carbon stores.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The UK Government is committed to reaching clean power by 2030 and restoring nature. We need to ensure that our marine ecosystems are healthy, and capturing and storing carbon too. This means that new energy infrastructure needs to be planned and developed in a way that protects the natural environment and supports nature recovery.
Assessment and mitigation of environmental impacts are a core part of our planning processes, and future spatial plans will support rebuilding our natural infrastructure at the same time as building the new energy infrastructure we need for the twenty first century.
Asked by: Steve Darling (Liberal Democrat - Torbay)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to improve access to (a) university and (b) other further education and training opportunities for people living in coastal resorts in (i) the South West and (ii) the rest of the country; and what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of trends in the level of educational attainment in those areas.
Answered by Janet Daby
This new government will be mission-led, with the Opportunity Mission building opportunities for all by giving every child the best start in life, helping them achieve and thrive, build skills for opportunity and growth and ensure family security.
Building skills for opportunity and growth is key to the Opportunity Mission. The department will ensure every young person around the country, including in coastal areas, can follow the pathway that is right for them. Whether built through high quality apprenticeships, colleges or universities, skills give people the power to progress into good jobs and seize opportunity. We will support the aspiration of every person who meets the requirements and wants to go to university, regardless of their background, where they live and their personal circumstances. Opportunity should be available to all, and it is our aspiration that no groups are left behind.
Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) support the department’s long term priority to drive local economic growth by reshaping the skills system to better align provision of post-16 technical education and training with local labour market needs and to support learners to gain the skills they need to get good jobs.
Over 50% (20 out of 38) of LSIP areas have coastal towns and communities within their geographies and in these areas, the designated employer representative body leading the LSIP may have engaged with coastal industry businesses and businesses and supply chain links operationally based in coastal towns and communities, as well as relevant local leaders and national sector and trade bodies.
For example, the Dorset LSIP has identified skills gaps within the marine industry and is in consultation with local providers around the introduction of Level 3 Marine Electrician and Marine Engineer Apprenticeships. These qualifications would help to resolve skills and labour shortages in coastal areas and build clusters of expertise in priority local industries.
A Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF) was introduced to support local action. For example, the Cornwall and Isle of Scilly LSIP identified a need to improve sustainability skills in the local construction sector. As a result, Truro and Penwith College received £1.07 million to fund the development of a Level 3 Design, Installation and Commissioning of Electrical Energy Storage Systems, as well as the development of an industry-led Higher Technical Qualification for Construction in Cornwall.
In the South West there are a number of colleges within coastal locations or who are close enough to readily attract learners from coastal areas. All colleges have specialisms to complement a general offer delivering programmes from foundation level through levels 1 to 3 and then, in most cases, offering higher education provision. Further education colleges often work in partnership with key employers and stakeholders to ensure specialist provision meets local and regional need.
The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering ages 5 to 18, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE, an expert in education policy, including curriculum and social inequality. The review will look closely at the key challenges to attainment for young people, and the barriers which hold children back from the opportunities and life chances they deserve, in particular those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged, or with special educational needs or disabilities.
Asked by: Melanie Onn (Labour - Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the potential cost to the public purse of the electrification of onshore marine ports.
Answered by Mike Kane
We are committed to Britain becoming a Clean Energy Superpower and ports are a key part of that mission. Ports are primarily private entities and the cost of electrification of onshore marine ports varies from port to port depending on the port's needs. The cost can be significantly higher or lower depending on the electricity demand and the distance from a connection point.
Asked by: Grahame Morris (Labour - Easington)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has had discussions with (a) Cabinet colleagues, (b) the offshore wind industry and (c) trade unions on the collision between the Wind of Hope vessel and a turbine in the Hornsea 1 offshore wind farm on 20 September 2024.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Secretary of State continues to have ongoing discussions with Cabinet colleagues, the offshore wind industry and trade unions concerning Departmental business.
The collision involving the Wind of Hope vessel was reported to the appropriate authorities. It will be a matter for the Marine Accidents Investigation Branch.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to increase the number of homes powered by green energy in West Dorset constituency.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
As part of our clean power mission, we will work with the private sector to radically increase the deployment of onshore wind, solar and offshore wind by 2030. We will invest in carbon capture and storage, hydrogen and marine energy, and ensure we have the long-term energy storage required.
This will significantly increase the number of homes powered by clean energy across the country, including in West Dorset. Steps we have taken include the immediate removal of the de facto ban on onshore wind in England, establishing an Onshore Wind Industry Taskforce, the re-establishment of the Solar Taskforce, and securing 131 new projects through the AR6 auction.
Asked by: Melanie Onn (Labour - Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of lower carbon-emitting fuels on the rate of decarbonisation of the maritime sector.
Answered by Mike Kane
Decarbonising transport is central to the delivery of the UK’s cross-economy climate targets, and directly supports the Prime Minister’s mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower and accelerate our journey to net zero.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s revised 2023 greenhouse gas (GHG) strategy and the upcoming negotiations later this year will be of vital importance to decarbonising the global maritime sector. The measures under consideration include a goal-based marine fuel standard which would drive down the GHG intensity of marine fuels and incentivise the uptake the cleaner zero and near zero GHG emission fuels. The potential impact of these global measures will be considered in a comprehensive impact assessment as part of this negotiation process.
This work goes hand in hand with the need to unlock investment in maritime decarbonisation technologies; zero and near zero GHG emission vessels; and green port infrastructure within the UK.
Asked by: Emma Hardy (Labour - Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 21 March 2024 to Question 18572: Marine Protected Areas, whether she received advice from the (a) Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning and (b) Joint Nature Conservancy Council that any of the first 27 licences from the 33rd Offshore Oil and Gas Licensing Round would result in adverse impacts on marine protected areas.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
The Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) undertook a screening assessment under the Offshore Petroleum Activities (Conservation of Habitats) Regulations 2001. This assessment included consultation with appropriate nature conservation bodies, including Joint Nature Conservation Committee. OPRED also undertook a Marine Conservation Zone / Marine Protected Area assessment in accordance with the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.
OPRED’s assessments concluded that award of the first 27 licences would not result in adverse impacts on the relevant protected areas. The SoS received advice from OPRED on the outcome of these assessments throughout the 33rd Round process. Assessment reports were published in July 2023: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64be43579c2df00012940285/33rd_Round_HRA_Screening_Report.pdf; https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64c77b5ff92186000d8667b6/33R_Round_MCZ_MPA_Assessment_Report.pdf.