Written question asked by Luke Akehurst (Labour) on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 1 June 2026. It was answered by Luke Pollard (Labour) on Tuesday, 2 June 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Shipbuilding

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department has taken to support UK shipyards to tender for defence procurement contracts.

Answer

The Government recognises the importance of a sovereign shipbuilding sector for our national and economic security.

The Cabinet Office recently announced further policy updates on the Procurement Act 2023, listing shipbuilding as a sector for priority procurement reform as a sector critical to national security. This will mean more contract awards at British shipyards, boatyards, and small-to-medium enterprises.

The National Shipbuilding Office (NSO) is working collaboratively with the Cabinet Office in leading this work for the British shipbuilding sector, developing a new framework which will deliver more shipbuilding work in the UK.

Alongside this, the NSO’s upcoming Shipbuilding & Maritime Technology Action Plan will go further than previous strategies in delivering for our powerful sovereign shipbuilding industry and will detail this Government’s approach to supporting the sector.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 3629
Session: 2026-27
Grouped for answer: Yes
Subjects: Defence Procurement Shipbuilding
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Shipbuilding

Secondary information

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