My Lords, the Government are working hard to deliver for the UK shipbuilding sector. Since 2024, 1,000 jobs have been saved at Harland & Wolff’s yards

in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, a £10 billion frigate deal was agreed with Norway—the largest of its kind in UK history—and millions have been invested in critical infrastructure, all delivered through close collaboration between government and industry. The National Shipbuilding Office plans to publish a new shipbuilding and maritime technology action plan this year, going beyond the national shipbuilding strategy to set out our bold vision for the sector and to maximise its high-growth potential.

The procurement is being led by Trinity House, with oversight from the Department for Transport. HM Treasury’s involvement is in line with its usual role in relation to public expenditure.

There are currently four civil servants working in the Minister of State for Defence in the House of Lords private office: one Grade 7, two Senior Executive Officers and one Higher Executive Officer.

There are currently 11 staff employed in the parliamentary branch of the Ministry of Defence.

Programme Euston will be one of the most significant and sustained Government investments in Scotland over the coming decades. Employment and training in the local area will rise and the investment will drive regional economic skills and social/environmental benefits further afield.

The commercial approach for the delivery of the dock and shoreside elements of Programme Euston will be finalised as part of the investment decision to be outlined following the publication of the Defence Investment Plan. The actual number of UK-based jobs and apprenticeships that will be created as a result of the Programme can only be assessed following completion of the procurement process.

Programme Euston will be one of the most significant and sustained Government investments in Scotland over the coming decades. Employment and training in the local area will rise and the investment will drive regional economic skills and social/environmental benefits further afield.

The commercial approach for the delivery of the dock and shoreside elements of Programme Euston will be finalised as part of the investment decision to be outlined following the publication of the Defence Investment Plan. The actual number of UK-based jobs and apprenticeships that will be created as a result of the Programme can only be assessed following completion of the procurement process.

The number of Special Advisers and their employment costs are published online and can be accessed via GOV.UK at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/special-adviser-data-releases-numbers-and-costs-july-2025/special-adviser-data-releases-numbers-and-costs-july-2025-html

As of 10 June 2026 four special advisors were employed by the Ministry of Defence, with costs up to £84,999 per special advisor.

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer given on 2 June 2026 to Questions HL357 and HL358. The Trinity House vessel procurement remains live, and it would therefore be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer given on 2 June 2026 to Questions HL357 and HL358. The Trinity House vessel procurement remains live, and it would therefore be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.

The commercial approach for the delivery of the dock and shoreside elements of Programme Euston will be finalised as part of the final investment decision which will be outlined following the publication of the Defence Investment Plan.

The commercial approach for the delivery of the dock and shoreside elements of Euston will be finalised as part of the final investment decision which will be outlined following the publication of the Defence Investment Plan.

All work associated with Programme Euston is conducted in accordance with clear departmental security policies applicable at HM Naval Base Clyde and across the wider Submarine enterprise.

The Ministry of Defence does not comment on the detail of those policies as to do so could prejudice National Security.

The Trinity House vessel procurement required bidders to state social value and UK content commitments as part of their bids, which accounted for ten per cent and five per cent respectively of the overall evaluation.

All bids are assessed against these criteria as part of a fair and open competition. Given that this procurement remains live at this stage it would be inappropriate for me to comment further before this process concludes.

The Trinity House vessel procurement required bidders to state social value and UK content commitments as part of their bids, which accounted for ten per cent and five per cent respectively of the overall evaluation.

All bids are assessed against these criteria as part of a fair and open competition. Given that this procurement remains live at this stage it would be inappropriate for me to comment further before this process concludes.

We are engaging with the market on the basis of a UK-led build, using the Defence and Security provisions within the Procurement Act 2023, under which the majority of the construction, fabrication, assembly, outfitting and commissioning, and support of the vessels is undertaken in the UK or British Overseas Territory / Crown Dependency.

We are continuing to engage suppliers on the basis of a UK-led build, using the Defence and Security provisions within the Procurement Act 2023 where appropriate. This approach is consistent with the government's commitment to back British businesses and a sustainable and successful shipbuilding and maritime technology sector and to ensure value for money and deliverability. My officials are working closely with the National Shipbuilding Office.

We are continuing to engage suppliers on the basis of a UK-led build, using the Defence and Security provisions within the Procurement Act 2023 where appropriate. This approach is consistent with the government's commitment to back British businesses and a sustainable and successful shipbuilding and maritime technology sector and to ensure value for money and deliverability. My officials are working closely with the National Shipbuilding Office.

A dynamic UK shipbuilding sector has potential to play a key role in creating and sustaining jobs and in ensuring shared prosperity around the country. The Maritime Capabilities Replacement Programme procurement will require all bidders to deliver social value, with fair work and resilient supply chains identified as key priorities.

With design work already underway, the Department intends to place a contract for the manufacture of the floating docks following production of the technical specification and upon completion of a procurement process.

While not formally under the scope of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, the analogous shipbuilding sector is well placed to participate in an upcoming procurement for the floating docks. As such, the National Shipbuilding Office has been consulted as part of the next investment decision point. Until the outcome of that next investment decision point is known, it is too early to provide information on job creation.

With design work already underway, the Department intends to place a contract for the manufacture of the floating docks following production of the technical specification and upon completion of a procurement process.

While not formally under the scope of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, the analogous shipbuilding sector is well placed to participate in an upcoming procurement for the floating docks. As such, the National Shipbuilding Office has been consulted as part of the next investment decision point. Until the outcome of that next investment decision point is known, it is too early to provide information on job creation.