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Written question asked by Luke Akehurst (Labour) on Wednesday, 3 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 June 2026. It was answered by Chris Ward (Labour) on Monday, 8 June 2026 on behalf of the Cabinet Office.

Shipbuilding: Contracts

Question

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking through public procurement policy to support UK shipyards to compete for Government contracts.

Answer

This government believes that it matters where things are made and who makes them. We also believe government procurement should do much more to protect national security, including in critical UK industries, in line with our international trade agreements.

That’s why on the 26th March I announced plans to ensure government departments make use of the national security exemptions in the Procurement Act, where lawful and appropriate, to ensure procurement serves the national interest. We will start with four sectors critical to our national security: steel; shipbuilding; energy infrastructure; and artificial intelligence.

As part of this, we are working alongside the government’s National Shipbuilding Office to explore a new commercial framework for shipbuilding with a predictable pipeline of work for domestic shipyards.

This is a major step forward in supporting British national security in critical industries and supply chains, and I will update the House when the new guidance is published.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
6585
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
Contracts Public sector Procurement Shipbuilding
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk