Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage will take the fight to protect BAE shipbuilding jobs in Portsmouth straight to the Prime Minister, in a question during today’s PMQs.
As the home of the Royal Navy, the shipyard has played an instrumental role in the defence of the British Isles for over 500 years. But with the livelihood of 1,500 BAE workers in jeopardy, and the future of ship maintenance uncertain, Caroline will call on the Prime Minister to preserve the extensive employment links in the region by asking:
“Can the Prime Minister assure me that the Government is doing all it can to protect the 1,500 shipbuilding jobs at Portsmouth Dockyard and that, moving forward, our impressive new surface fleet will be based and maintained there.”
The question follows speculation about the security of the jobs at the Portsmouth shipyard, with BAE considering the closure of one of their three major shipyards. Caroline has held meetings with BAE bosses and Defence Ministers in recent weeks, and remains determined to try and protect jobs on the Portsmouth site.
Speaking in advance of PMQs, Caroline said:
“The loss of shipbuilding operations in Portsmouth would have serious consequences for our local area – but more jobs would be created if we can secure Portsmouth as the home port and maintenance site of the surface fleet in the future. As both of these decisions lie in the balance, I am glad to have the opportunity to take this issue to the very highest level, and will do all I can to try and preserve this important local employer.”