West Dunbartonshire MP Douglas McAllister has praised a “historic” £10 billion contract which will see warships built on the Clyde for Norway.
The deal involves the construction of Type 26 frigates for the Norwegian armed forces and is expected to sustain shipbuilding jobs on the Clyde through to the late 2030s.
In response to the deal, the Labour politician said: “Norway has selected the UK and Scotland to construct its warships, which is a major boost for shipbuilding on the Clyde.
“The £10bn contract announcement will secure 2000 jobs in Scotland at BAE in the Scotstoun and Govan yards.
“This is fantastic news for my West Dunbartonshire constituents, hundreds of whom are employed either directly or indirectly in our shipyards.”
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Mr McAllister also praised the potential impact of the deal for local businesses and Scotland’s overall economy.
He said: “The £10 billion investment is also expected to support more than 100 Scottish small and medium-sized businesses in our area.
“Billions of pounds will be pumped into the Scottish economy following Norway’s decision to select Clyde-built warships for their armed forces.
“The historic deal, worth £10bn, cements Scotland and the Clyde’s position as a world leader in naval shipbuilding and helps demonstrate my UK Labour Government’s plan for change.
“Last year, we promised to deliver change by electing a UK Labour Government and sending Scottish Labour MPs to represent our nation and regions right at the heart of a UK Labour Government – and this announcement by Norway helps demonstrate that positive change.
“The £10bn deal is what our change plan is all about – creating jobs, driving growth and protecting national security for working people.
“The Type 26 contract with Norway will do exactly that and help continue to support well-paid jobs up and down the Clyde.”
In addition to the Norway deal, the Ministry of Defence has announced a further £250m investment in HMNB Clyde at Faslane.
It is expected that these combined investments will secure hundreds of jobs in Scotland.
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Mr McAllister said: “This contract, coupled with the Ministry of Defence announcing £250m investment into the HMNB Clyde base at Faslane to be spent over the next three years, is extremely welcome news and guarantees thousands of jobs for my constituents across West Dunbartonshire.
“The decision comes ahead of a new UK–Norway defence agreement that will bolster Euro-Atlantic security while bringing the two defence industries closer together to boost jobs, growth and innovation.
“This is a huge boost for shipbuilding jobs on the Clyde delivered by my Labour Government.
“The Labour Party will always stand up for the security of our country and our NATO allies – and this means protecting our country, and delivering real investment and jobs on the Clyde and across Scotland.”
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