Pleased to see GMB reps from shipyards and steelworks across the country in Parliament for the launch of the GMB’s excellent report “Turning the Tide: rebuilding the UK’s defence shipbuilding industry and the Fleet Solid Support Order”.
This sets out clearly the immense value and economic benefits of placing big Government orders with UK companies rather than opening up tenders to foreign competition. For every £1 spent on shipbuilding in the UK, 36p comes back to the Treasury in tax, and then of course there’s the spending power of those workers in their communities – supporting local businesses.
Common sense, other countries get it. Disgraceful the Tories are determined to put out contacts for foreign bids, and give no weighting to the wider economic benefits of buying British.