Published at 13:12, Wednesday, 24 March 2010

A MINISTER has pledged the government will order seven Astute class nuclear submarines and four successor submarines for the Trident nuclear deterrent.

By Jon Simpson

Only four Astutes are on order with BAE at present and there have been fears that because of the financial crisis some could be cut.

But defence minister Quentin Davies made the pledge for orders for both Astute and Trident Successor submarines yesterday in London at a face-to-face meeting with a delegation from the Keep Our Future Afloat Campaign from Barrow.

Delegation members were elated after their hour-long meeting with Mr Davies.

The meeting came as Labour prepares for a general election battle. Kofac chairman Terry Waiting, who led the delegation, said the assurances given meant there would be work for Barrow shipyard into the 2030s.

Mr Davies, minister for defence procurement and support, told Kofac: “The government is totally committed to building seven Astute class submarines. There is no doubt at all that Britain needs them.”

On Trident, Gordon Brown said earlier this year the government would consider operating with three submarines instead of four to save money if that was viable.

But Mr Davies told Kofac the three boat plan had been dumped.

Mr Waiting said: “The government’s policies offer clear prospects for the industry to sustain jobs until 2030 at least. The government is also committed to keeping capital allowance for manufacturing firms in the supply chain to encourage them to invest.

“The message from government could not have been more positive, we are delighted with the outcome of today’s meeting and I am sure the workforce and the whole submarine supply chain (of firms) will be too”.

John Fallows, the secretary of the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions for the Barrow yard , joined the delegation, said: “ It was better than an assurance, it was a commitment. He pledged seven Astutes and four successors and he does not want a break in production. He has pledged that funding will be found and there will be no breaks.

“It is very good news for people looking for long-term employment in the north west and very good news for apprenticeships.”

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