Norway's £10 Billion Frigate Deal Boosts Scottish Shipbuilding, Jobs
The Scottish Parliament has welcomed Norway's decision to invest around £10 billion in building Type 26 frigates on the Clyde. The deal, praised by SNP and Labour members, is expected to sustain over 2,000 jobs at BAE Systems' yards and support over 12,000 jobs in the supply chain.
Labour MSP Paul Sweeney led the debate, expressing gratitude to Norway for its confidence in Scottish shipbuilders. He criticized the current approach for giving an unfair advantage to overseas competitors. SNP member Alasdair Allan also praised the deal, describing it as a vote of confidence in Scottish shipyards and the wider economy.
Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr highlighted Norway's choice of the Type 26 over rival designs and credited the UK's National Shipbuilding Strategy. The deal is expected to bring significant benefits to the Scottish economy and secure the future of shipbuilding in the country.
Sweeney called for a dedicated shipbuilding strategy for Scotland, including a change to Scottish public procurement law. He proposed using the Scottish National Investment Bank to finance local yards to compete with subsidized rivals. Labour's Davy Russell echoed this sentiment, calling for a comprehensive shipbuilding strategy and direct orders for future jobs and ferries.
The Norwegian investment in Scottish shipbuilding is a significant boost for the industry and the wider economy. With over 12,000 jobs supported, the deal highlights the competitiveness of Scottish shipyards. However, MSPs have called for a dedicated shipbuilding strategy to ensure the long-term success of the industry and level the playing field with overseas competitors.
