Shipbuilders to start on carriers

The carriers are likely to enter service up to two years later than planned

Shipyard workers in Devon are to start building two new multi-billion pound Royal Navy aircraft carriers next week.

Defence Secretary John Hutton issued a statement to MPs on the future of the project, saying work would carry on but at a slower pace, to help protect jobs.

Initially, Appledore shipyard in north Devon had been due to start work on bow sections for the carriers next spring.

Plymouth MP Linda Gilroy said she believed the jobs at the Appledore yard were safe.

Shipyards in Portsmouth, Barrow-in-Furness, Glasgow and Rosyth are also scheduled to work on the aircraft carriers which, following Mr Hutton's announcement, are likely to enter into service up to two years later than planned.

'Very encouraging'

It is thought that work will begin on the carriers up to a certain point and will then be stopped for a while before recommencing.

"This is a question of slowdown, of perhaps delaying the second carrier and slowing down the first one," said Ms Gilroy.

"I don't think Appledore need worry too much about its part in that."

Stuart Fegan, from GMB Union, also welcomed the news that work is set to start at the Devon shipyard next week.

One of the features of this major package of work is that Babcock Marine Appledore has reinstated an apprentice programme which shows commitment to the yard and the wider community Stuart Fegan, GMB Union

"The confirmation that work is to go ahead next week at Appledore is very encouraging as this package of work is going to secure 200 core jobs and bring more labour into the yard over the next three or four years for the lifespan of this work.

"One of the features of this major package of work is that Babcock Marine Appledore has reinstated an apprentice programme which shows committment to the yard and the wider community and is very welcomed by all the trade unions at Appledore.

Former defence secretary Des Browne had given the green light for the creation of HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales in May and they were expected to enter service in 2014 and 2016.

Contracts worth about �3.2bn were signed in July and the work was expected to create, or underpin, a total of 10,000 jobs at the yards.

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