Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage today spoke up for those who will be affected by job losses at Portsmouth’s dockyard.
This morning, BAE Systems announced that shipbuilding at Portsmouth will cease in the second half of 2014, resulting in the loss of 940 jobs. However, Portsmouth will continue to play host to the company’s maritime support services.
After a statement made by the Secretary of State for Defence, Philip Hammond MP, Caroline took the opportunity to ask how the Government will be supporting the Portsmouth area in light of today’s announcement.
Caroline asked: “The end of shipbuilding in Portsmouth is devastating for a community with over 800 years of proud service with the Royal Navy. Does the Secretary of State know when we’ll hear of plans to help ease the pain of this decision, particularly with regard to the City Deal and what conversations have taken place with Portsmouth City Council about the timing of this announcement?”
Responding on behalf of the Government, the Secretary of State for Defence said: “Well Mr Speaker, my Honourable Friend is of course right, and I recognised in my statement that the decision is a very hard one for people in Portsmouth to accept. But we should get this in context. Nine-hundred-and-forty jobs will be lost. Eleven-thousand will remain in dockyard related activity in Portsmouth, which will be largest centre of surface maritime support in the UK and that will continue into the future. We are in discussions with Portsmouth Council and with Southampton around the City Deal proposal and I am advised that a statement is likely to be made very soon, as soon as those negotiations have concluded.”
Speaking outside the Chamber, Caroline said:
“The news that shipbuilding in Portsmouth will come to an end after 800 years of operations is devastating and my thoughts are with those who will be affected by job losses. BAE now has a responsibility to ensure that the loss of building jobs is supplemented with opportunities within the maritime services branch of the company.
We also need to secure a Government funding package to counter the impacts of any job losses in Portsmouth. I am pleased that the Government has expressed its commitment to supporting our local area as these changes take place.”
As the home of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth shipyard has played an instrumental role in the defence of the British Isles for over 800 years.
