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PRESS RELEASE : Thriving Japan defence partnership boosting UK jobs and investment [August 2025]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 29 August 2025.

The Defence Secretary met Japanese PM Ishiba and his counterpart, Minister Nakatani, while welcoming the Carrier Strike Group deployment to Tokyo.

New figures reveal millions of pounds of investment and thousands of British jobs created through the UK-Japan defence relationship as Defence Secretary John Healey visits Japan for the first time.

The Defence Secretary announced today (29 August) that the UK’s Future Combat Air System programme supports over 4,500 British jobs across the UK, including in the South West, North West and Scotland. At the core of the programme is the trilateral Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) partnership between the UK, Japan and Italy to deliver a next-generation combat aircraft. Industry research and development spending has also increased by more than £100 million to over £700 million, demonstrating how international partnerships drive UK investment and skilled employment.

The significant progress made by GCAP was acknowledged in a joint statement issued following a meeting between the Defence Secretary and his Japanese counterpart, Minister Nakatani. The defence partnership between the UK and Japan directly supports the government’s Plan for Change, kickstarting economic growth at home through defence.

The Defence Secretary also welcomed HMS Prince of Wales and the wider Carrier Strike Group into Tokyo and addressed its crew, strengthening the UK’s partnership with Japan and demonstrating the government’s commitment to keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad.

The Royal Navy flagship is hosting the two-day Pacific Future Forum, an international summit bringing together defence and industry leaders to help shape responses to the defence challenges facing the UK and its allies.

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said:

The UK-Japan partnership is one of the strongest in the Indo-Pacific and continues to deliver real benefits for both countries through programmes like GCAP.

It was a privilege to welcome the sailors, soldiers and aviators on board HMS Prince of Wales to Japan and thank them for their tireless work on this deployment.

The Carrier Strike Group helps the UK to strengthen alliances and cement new partnerships, ensuring the UK is secure at home and strong abroad.

The visit by the Carrier Strike Group forms part of Operation Highmast, the UK’s largest naval deployment in a generation, starting over four months ago and involving nearly 4,000 personnel across the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force.

HMS Prince of Wales exemplifies British naval engineering excellence, carrying up to 24 F-35B Lightning II fighter jets in the largest concentration of fifth-generation aircraft ever deployed by the Royal Navy.

Operation Highmast showcases the UK’s enduring commitment to security of the Indo-Pacific and beyond, engaging with 30 countries through exercises, operations, and visits across the Mediterranean, Middle East, South East Asia, Japan, Republic of Korea, and Australia.

The visit builds on unprecedented military cooperation between Britain and Japan, with the UK being the first European partner to exercise bilaterally on Japanese soil through Exercise Vigilant Isles. RAF and Royal Navy personnel continue to strengthen interoperability with Japanese forces, including the historic first landing of a UK F-35B fighter on a Japanese ship earlier this month.

August 29, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Appointment of Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside [August 2025]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 29 August 2025.

The King has been pleased to appoint Mr Peter Oliver, OBE, DL, as His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the County of Merseyside on the retirement of Mr Mark Blundell, CVO, on 15th December, 2025.

Background

Peter Oliver (46) was born and has spent his whole life in Merseyside. He lives in Southport.

He has had a career delivering complex strategic digital transformation programmes, beginning within the NHS in Liverpool, and then with a range of organisations in the public, private and third sectors, across the United Kingdom and overseas.

Alongside his career, Peter has held leading volunteer roles in several local, national and international charities, most notably The Scouts, and as Chair of the Board of a large local academy. Peter’s voluntary work has been focused on supporting young people to get the best start in life, and has included developing successful collaborations between local charities, businesses and public sector organisations.

August 29, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Free chickenpox vaccination offered for first time to children [August 2025]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 29 August 2025.

A free chickenpox vaccination will offered for first time to children across England on the NHS from January.
- Government to launch chickenpox vaccination programme in England from January 2026, which will protect around half a million children each year
- Eligible children will receive the vaccine during routine GP appointments, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox
- The rollout will help raise the healthiest generation of children ever, while reducing sick days and time parents take off work
Thousands of children will be protected against chickenpox for the first time in England through a new vaccination programme that will keep kids in school and parents in work while also saving the NHS vital funds.

From January next year, GP practises will offer eligible children a combined vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) – the clinical term for chickenpox – as part of the routine infant vaccination schedule.

It will mean kids miss fewer days in nursery and school while parents won’t need to take time off work to care for them. Research shows that chickenpox in childhood results in an estimated £24 million in lost income and productivity every year in the UK. The rollout will also save the NHS £15 million a year in costs for treating the common condition.

The chickenpox vaccine has been safely used for decades and is already part of the routine vaccine schedules in several countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia and Germany.

Minister of State for Care Stephen Kinnock said:

We’re giving parents the power to protect their children from chickenpox and its serious complications, while keeping them in nursery or the classroom where they belong and preventing parents from scrambling for childcare or having to miss work.

This vaccine puts children’s health first and gives working families the support they deserve. As part of our Plan for Change, we want to give every child has the best possible start in life, and this rollout will help do exactly that.

The vaccination programme forms part of the government’s wider ambition to raise the healthiest generation of children ever as part of our Plan for Change — boosting the nation’s health and ensuring the future sustainability of the NHS as we shift the focus of healthcare from sickness to prevention.

The vaccine will help reduce cases of chickenpox and protect children from serious complications that can cause hospitalisation, such as bacterial infections like strep A, brain and lung inflammation and stroke.

Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, Deputy Director of Immunisation at the UK Health Security Agency said:

Most parents probably consider chickenpox to be a common and mild illness, but for some babies, young children and even adults, chickenpox can be very serious, leading to hospital admission and tragically, while rare, it can be fatal.

It is excellent news, that from next January, we will be introducing a vaccine to protect against chickenpox into the NHS routine childhood vaccination programme – helping prevent what is for most a nasty illness and for those who develop severe symptoms, it could be a life saver.

We now have extensive experience from a number of countries showing that the vaccine has a good safety record and is highly effective. The programme will have a really positive impact on the health of young children and also lead to fewer missed nursery and school days.

The government’s decision to roll out the MMRV vaccine in January is based on expert scientific advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), following research showing the significant impact of severe cases of chickenpox on children’s health, hospital admissions and associated costs.

Private vaccinations for chickenpox at pharmacies and clinics currently cost around £150 for a full course of two doses. This rollout will mean the vaccination will be available free of charge on the NHS to eligible children.

Other countries where the MMRV vaccine is already offered — such as Germany, Canada, and the United States — have seen substantial decreases in chickenpox cases and related hospital admissions since introducing their vaccination programmes.

Amanda Doyle, National Director for Primary Care and Community Services at NHS England said:

This is a hugely positive moment for families as the NHS gets ready to roll out a vaccine to protect children against chickenpox for the first time, adding to the arsenal of other routine jabs that safeguard against serious illness.

We will work with vaccination teams and GP surgeries across the country to rollout the combined MMRV vaccine in the new year, helping to keep children healthy and prevent sickness from these highly contagious viruses.

The MMRV vaccine rollout forms part of the government’s overall aim to ensure young people thrive, as part of the 10 Year Health Plan. This includes expanding access to vaccines, as well as free school meals, mental health support and dental care.

This is the first time protection against another disease has been added to the routine childhood vaccination programme since the MenB vaccine in 2015.

Meanwhile, the Department for Education has recently announced plans to roll out Best Start Family Hubs in every local area, relieving pressure on parents and giving half a million more children the very best start in life.

The eligibility criteria for children will be set out in clinical guidance covering which age groups will get the MMRV vaccine and when, to ensure the most effective protection for children.

As with other childhood immunisations, parents will be contacted by their GP surgery to arrange an appointment if their child is eligible.
August 29, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Government outlines action plan to improve Oakhill Secure Training Centre
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 28 August 2025.

A new leadership team, bolstered staff training and improved safeguarding have been put in place at Oakhill Secure Training Centre, following concerns raised by inspectors last month.
- Bolstered support to include strengthened safeguarding and staff training
- Extra investment in healthcare provision and mental health support
- New leadership team appointed with extensive youth custody experience
The centre in Milton Keynes, operated by G4S, was issued an Urgent Notification in July by Ofsted, HM Inspectorate of Prisons, and the Care Quality Commission. The report detailed living conditions below standard, inadequate mental health support and poor safeguarding systems.

The Youth Custody Service has today (28 August) published a detailed action plan to urgently address these concerns. Developed in partnership with G4S, the plan seeks to fundamentally improve safety and standards at the centre.

This includes G4S installing a new leadership structure and a Governing Governor from YCS directly taking responsibility for overseeing improvements. Staff will also receive improved training to better deal with conflict and violence, and a review of all safeguarding referrals will ensure appropriate action has been taken in every case.

Sir Nic Dakin, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Sentencing and Youth Justice, said:

The serious failings found at Oakhill STC are unacceptable. Every young person in custody must feel safe, supported, and be treated with care.

G4S is already taking urgent steps to deliver necessary improvements, and this action plan gives them the support they need to turn the centre around. We will not hesitate to take further action if needed.

The centre is also undergoing major refurbishments to living conditions, identifying areas requiring repair and prioritising residential units. Healthcare provision is also being bolstered with extra specialist staff including for mental health support.

Staff who have been implicated in serious wrongdoing have been suspended.
August 29, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : More award-winning British cheese to be served across Europe thanks to EU agreement [August 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 28 August 2025.

Small food and drink exporters across the UK are set for a major boost in sales thanks to substantial package agreed with the EU.
- Businesses exporting food and drink to the EU to benefit from major SPS Agreement adding £5.1bn to the UK economy every year
- As part of the Plan for Change, the agreement will boost agrifood trade with the EU, the UK’s largest trading partner
- Major British firm, Neal’s Yard Dairy, welcomes agreement during visit from Exports Minister
Small food and drink exporters across the UK are set for a major boost in sales thanks to substantial package agreed with the EU.

This includes measures to slash costs and burdensome red tape on agriproducts such as dairy, fish, eggs and red meat, so UK businesses can spend more time and money selling their world-renowned products abroad.

As part of the Government’s Plan for Change, the package will increase access to the UK’s largest market, to grow exports, create jobs and make our supply chains more resilient, helping to reduce pressure on prices.

In 2024 alone, the food and drink sector in Britain employed 3.8 million people.

Neal’s Yard Dairy – an artisanal cheese-maturer, retailer and wholesaler – is one of the thousands of small businesses set to benefit the most from the deal. Based in London, the dairy runs a thriving exports business, selling their award-winning cheeses to customers and retailers across Europe and the world.

On Thursday, the Minister for Small Businesses and Exports, Gareth Thomas, visited their Bermondsey branch to meet with Director David Lockwood and his employees to discuss the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement and the ways it will benefit the business and others in the sector.

Speaking at Neal’s Yard Dairy in Bermondsey, Gareth Thomas, Minister for Small Businesses and Exports, said:

The UK’s food and drink sector has huge exporting potential and Neal’s Yard Dairy demonstrates that alongside the right government action, small firms can expand internationally into new and existing markets.

Through our Trade Strategy, three landmark trade deals and our Small Business Strategy this Government’s Plan for Change is breaking down barriers for exporters to increase trade, create jobs, and grow the economy.

As part of the substantial package agreed at the first UK-EU Summit in May, the Government has agreed to a new and expansive SPS agreement with the EU.

This will benefit a wide range of producers and retailers with over 1,500 UK products currently affected by SPS measures.

For artisan producers like Neal’s Yard, who often deal in small batches and can’t afford delays due to the perishable nature of cheese, this agreement will be especially beneficial.

Routine SPS border checks will be eliminated so fresh produce can hit supermarket shelves more quickly, with less paperwork and fewer costs.

Currently, Great British goods are subject to 100 percent documentary checks and up to 30 percent physical checks. The deal will see these removed entirely.

Once agreed, it is expected to add up to £5.1 billion a year to the economy and increase the volume of UK exports of major agricultural commodities to the EU by 16 percent.

David Lockwood, Director at Neil’s Yard Dairy, said:

Neal’s Yard Dairy looks forward to the UK and EU implementing the UK-EU ‘reset’ agreement as quickly as possible to allow us to focus our core business: selecting, maturing and selling British cheese both within the UK and overseas.

The additional requirements for export to the EU post-Brexit have cost our business in many ways. A major impediment is the requirement that our EU bound shipments have health certificates for cheese signed off by official veterinarians; this has doubled the time between customers ordering and receiving goods, a very effective cost inflater and sales killer. The removal of this non-tariff trade barrier is greatly anticipated.

Beyond the SPS agreement, the Minister and David Lockwood also discussed the Government’s export support offer, which is now easily accessible in one place through the new Business Growth Service, launched in the Plan for Small Businesses.

As part of the Plan, the Government has also expanded UK Export Finance’s capacity by £20 billion to £80 billion to support more smaller firms win business and increase sales overseas.

Both the Department for Business and Trade and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have supported Neal’s Yard Dairy to increase exports through retail introductions, webinars and trade missions.
August 29, 2025
NEWS STORY : Ellen Thinnesen named Further Education Commissioner to drive college leadership and tackle rising NEET rates

STORY

Ellen Thinnesen OBE has been appointed the new Further Education Commissioner, with a three-year term beginning in January 2026. The Department for Education said she will lead a national team of deputies and advisers to strengthen leadership and governance across colleges, prioritising faster improvement and support for institutions under pressure. Thinnesen is currently Chief Executive of Education Partnership North East and formerly served as Principal and CEO of Sunderland College. She led the mergers that created EPNE, bringing together Sunderland College, Northumberland College and Hartlepool Sixth Form College, and is credited with improving educational quality and financial resilience across the group.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said Thinnesen’s track record in turning around colleges would be “invaluable” as the government pursues its Plan for Change, including efforts to grow the economy in key sectors and reduce the number of young people not in education, employment or training. Thinnesen called the role a privilege and said FE must adapt and align provision to future labour-market needs while re-engaging those currently out of education or work. Sector bodies welcomed the move. Association of Colleges chief executive David Hughes CBE congratulated Thinnesen and said he expects the commissioner’s office to keep focusing on sharing good practice and supporting leaders, not only intervening when things go wrong

August 29, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Ellen Thinnesen announced as new Further Education Commissioner [August 2025]

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 28 August 2025.

Ellen Thinnesen will lead work to boost college leadership and governance.

Ellen Thinnesen OBE, Chief Executive of Education Partnership North East, has been appointed as the next Further Education Commissioner, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced today (28 August 2025).

Ellen has a wealth of experience and knowledge to bring to the role having been CEO and Principal of Sunderland College from 2016 and Chief Executive of Education Partnership North East from 2019. This includes successfully leading three colleges – Sunderland College, Northumberland College and Hartlepool Sixth Form College – through mergers and transforming them to become one of the strongest groups in the sector in terms of both quality of teaching and financial health.

As Further Education Commissioner, Ellen will lead a team of Deputies and Advisers to support and strengthen the leadership and governance of colleges, ensuring they are well run and continue to offer high quality education and training to the communities they serve.

She will play a key role in driving improvement at pace across the sector and delivering on the Government’s missions through its Plan for Change, with a focus on growing the economy in key sectors and breaking down barriers to opportunity through tackling the rising numbers of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET).

Ellen will take up her post in January 2026 for a three-year term.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:

I am delighted to appoint Ellen to the vital role of FE Commissioner. Her experience of driving improvement will be invaluable as we work to ensure the FE sector creates the skills our economy and communities need to thrive.

I would like to thank Shelagh Legrave CBE DL for her work in the role over the last three years and I wish her all the best for the future.

Ellen Thinnesen said:

It is a great privilege to be appointed Further Education Commissioner at this crucial time when skills are vital to delivering the Government’s missions for growth and opportunity.

The further education sector plays a critical role in transforming lives and driving economic growth. Looking ahead, it is well-placed to tackle persistent skills challenges, deliver equitable access to quality education, and re-engage those not in education, employment, or training (NEET). By adapting, innovating, and aligning provision with future labour market needs, the sector has a vital role in equipping learners with the skills to thrive in a rapidly changing economy.

I look forward to working with colleges across England to ensure they are in the strongest possible position to change people’s lives for the better and meet the needs of employers and communities.

August 29, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : The United Kingdom remains deeply concerned about the escalating humanitarian crisis in Haiti – UK statement at the UN Security Council [August 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 August 2025.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Haiti.

Thank you, President. I thank the Secretary-General, Executive Director Russell and Mr Roosevelt for briefing us today.

And I welcome the participation of the representatives of Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Barbados in our meeting.

I will make three points.

First, the United Kingdom remains deeply concerned about the escalating humanitarian crisis in Haiti.

As we have heard today, this crisis is driven by gang violence and instability that devastates communities and undermines efforts to restore democratic governance.

We are particularly concerned by the impacts on children, who are among the most vulnerable victims of this crisis.

One in eight children in Haiti have been displaced. Armed gangs are systematically recruiting minors, fuelling a surge in exploitation, sexual violence and abuse.

These atrocities spread fear and inflict lasting trauma on Haiti’s young people.

The United Kingdom remains firmly committed to supporting efforts to tackle insecurity in Haiti, and we unequivocally condemn the use of sexual and gender-based violence as a tool of control and terror.

Second, we commend Kenya’s leadership of the Multinational Security Support Mission.

And we express our strong support for the vital work of international partners, including BINUH, in helping the Haitian authority deliver change for the Haitian people.

As part of this commitment, the UK has provided $6.7 million to fund OHCHR’s work with the MSS to help ensure compliance with international standards on human rights, conduct and discipline.

In parallel, we continue to take action against those responsible for human rights violations, including through the implementation of targeted sanctions.

Third, re-establishing security is essential to Haiti’s long-term stability and to alleviating suffering.

In this context, we welcome the Secretary General’s recommendations for enhanced security assistance for Haiti.

President, we stand ready to work with the US, Panama and all Council members to mobilise that support to the Haitian people, and help Haiti’s children enjoy a future free from violence, fear and hunger.

August 29, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : E3 joint statement on Iran – Initiation of the snapback process [August 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 August 2025.

Joint statement by the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and the UK on the initiation of the snapback process.

We, the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and the United Kingdom, share the fundamental objective that Iran shall never seek, acquire or develop a nuclear weapon. We negotiated the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) with the conviction that it would decisively contribute to ensuring the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme. The United Nations Security Council unanimously endorsed the JCPoA in resolution 2231 of 20th July 2015. It was a major achievement for non-proliferation, as such strengthening international peace and security.

Following the United States’ withdrawal from the JCPoA on 8th May 2018, and in spite of Iran ceasing the implementation of its commitments under the JCPoA beginning in May 2019, France, Germany and the United Kingdom (the “E3”) remained committed participants to the deal.

Since 2019, Iran has exceeded JCPoA limits on enriched uranium, heavy water, and centrifuges, restricted the IAEA’s ability to conduct JCPoA verification and monitoring activities, and has abandoned the implementation and the ratification process of the Additional Protocol to its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement. These actions contravene Iran’s commitments set out in the JCPoA and have serious implications on the capacity of Iran to progress toward developing a nuclear weapon.

This was more than five years ago. Since then, we have made all possible efforts to resolve the impasse. We consistently undertook intensive diplomatic efforts to deescalate tensions and to bring Iran and the United States to the negotiating table for a comprehensive negotiated solution. We acted in good faith to preserve the JCPoA, in the sincere hope of finding a way to resolve the impasse through constructive diplomatic dialogue, while preserving the agreement and remaining within its framework.

This included the use of the JCPoA’s Dispute Resolution Mechanism, initiated on 14 January 2020 and confirmed by the JCPoA Coordinator, pursuant to paragraph 36 of the JCPoA. The E3 also engaged in good faith in negotiations conducted from 6th April 2021 until 28th February 2022 to re-establish Iran’s full compliance with the JCPoA and allow for a return of the United States to the deal. The JCPoA Coordinator tabled viable proposals in March and again in August 2022. Iran refused both packages while continuing to raise unacceptable demands beyond the scope of the JCPoA. Despite this, we have continued to engage Iran as part of our efforts to find a peaceful resolution of this issue through diplomacy, as set out in our letter to the United Nations Secretary General of 8th August 2025.

In July 2025, the E3 have put on the table an offer for the extension of resolution 2231 and its snapback mechanism. The requirements set by the E3 in exchange for this extension – including the resumption of negotiations, Iran’s compliance with its IAEA obligations, and steps to address our concerns regarding the high enriched uranium stockpile – have not yet been satisfactorily met by Iran. The combination of such Iranian steps and a time-limited extension would have provided a credible path towards reaching a political agreement to replace the JCPoA and address our longstanding concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear programme.

Today, Iran’s non-compliance with the JCPoA is clear and deliberate, and sites of major proliferation concern in Iran are outside of IAEA monitoring. Iran has no civilian justification for its high enriched uranium stockpile – now over 9 Significant Quantities – which is also unaccounted for by the IAEA. Its nuclear programme therefore remains a clear threat to international peace and security.

As a result of Iran’s actions, and in accordance with paragraph 11 of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015), France, Germany and the United Kingdom have today decided to notify the Security Council that we believe Iran is in significant non-performance of its commitments under the JCPoA, thereby engaging the “snapback” mechanism.

This notification initiates the snapback process defined in Resolution 2231. It opens a 30-day period before the possible reestablishment of previously terminated United Nations Security Council resolutions. We underline that these resolutions and the measures they contain – sanctions and other restrictive measures – are not new. On the contrary, these resolutions were previously agreed by the Security Council and lifted in light of Iran’s commitments under the JCPoA. However, Iran has chosen not to abide by those commitments. In accordance with Resolution 2231, we will continue to strive to diplomatically resolve the issue of Iran’s significant non-performance. We will use the 30-day period to continue to engage with Iran on our extension offer, or on any serious diplomatic efforts to restore Iran’s compliance with its commitments.

We recall that if the UNSC does not adopt within 30 days a resolution to continue the lifting of UNSC resolutions on Iran, six Security Council resolutions, including on sanctions, will be restored.

August 29, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Scottish Secretary to cut steal for £8m barge for MoD at Navantia [August 2025]
The press release issued by the Scotland Office on 28 August 2025.

Work begins at Fife yard to build £8 million transport barge to be used for naval ships construction.
- Project positions Methil yard for future defence work
- 35 new jobs to be created, including 14 new apprenticeship positions
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray has officially cut the steel to start the fabrication of a new transport barge at Navantia UK’s facility in Methil in Fife.

The barge is a strategic £8 million investment by Navantia UK. It will be used in the delivery of a contract to provide three Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships to the Royal Navy.

Scotland is at the heart of the UK’s defence industry, keeping the UK safe at home and strong abroad, delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change. The UK Government has committed to the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War. We will increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP from 2027, with an ambition to reach 3% in the next parliament. We are increasing spending on defence by £5 billion in this year alone.

That commitment means a ‘defence dividend’ for Scotland and Scottish jobs. Our investment includes a £250 million upgrade of the Faslane submarine base and MoD shipbuilding on the Clyde and at Rosyth. In all, the MoD directly supports 25,800 jobs in Scotland.

The Methil yard, and one in Arnish on the Western Isles, was formerly part of Harland & Wolff. It was taken over by Navantia UK in December 2024, in a deal backed by the UK Government and which guaranteed hundreds of Scottish jobs.

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said:

“It is fantastic news that the team at Methil will be fabricating this barge which will play a key role in building three fleet support ships. Workers at the yard are highly skilled and will be playing a key role delivering in this important defence contract. I visited the yard last year just after the UK Government had helped broker the Navantia UK takeover, and I can’t wait to see the progress since then. Supporting Scottish industry is a key part of our Plan for Change – growing our economy and ensuring our nation’s security.”

Matt Smith, Navantia UK’s General Manager at Methil, said:

“This project is good news for Methil and our skilled workforce and it positions us to support future defence work. We’re particularly pleased to be able to continue our established apprenticeship programme and recruit more apprentices on the back of this award, ensuring we develop the next generation of skilled marine engineers.”

Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard, said:

“This project at Methil shows how our Armed Forces act as an engine for growth, driving economic opportunity across the UK and delivering on the government’s Plan for Change. Military capabilities like this barge create real economic benefits for Scottish communities whilst supporting our naval operations. The barge will support the Fleet Solid Support ships that keep our Carrier Strike Group supplied at sea, ensuring our Armed Forces have the tools they need to keep Britain safe at home and strong abroad.”

Robert Deavy, GMB Scotland’s Senior Organiser in Engineering, said:

“We welcome this clear progress towards a secure and sustainable future for a yard that is capable of playing an important role in Scotland’s industrial strategy. We are confident the positive change now underway in Methil can untap the full potential of a skilled and committed workforce.”

Bob MacGregor, Unite Industrial Officer, said:

“Unite warmly welcomes the expansion of the Navantia workforce at the Methil yard . The increase in new apprenticeships in particular is a great step forward for the yard which will construct a barge to assist with the delivery of three Royal Navy ships. It is a positive development which signals that the Methil yard and its highly skilled workforce remain critical to Scotland’s industrial base.”

The purpose-built vessel will transport ship blocks between the company’s Appledore and Belfast facilities, facilitating construction of the support ships across multiple sites. Designed for long-term use, the barge will support not only this contract but future shipbuilding programmes as well.

The barge will be 85 metres long and 25 metres wide – giving it a surface area equivalent to ten tennis courts – and it will weigh 1,400 tonnes. Bow sections of FSS ships will be built on board the barge, at Navantia UK’s Appledore shipyard in Devon, before being transported to Belfast.

Building the barge represents an investment of £8 million by Navantia UK, which expects to expand the workforce at Methil to deliver the vessel, with 35 positions to be created. The project enables the yard to continue with its apprenticeship programme with recruitment to begin immediately of 14 new apprentices.

The work at Methil strengthens the site’s capabilities for future defence projects as Navantia UK continues to invest in upgrading facilities across all four of its yards. This project positions the facility to support other upcoming UK defence programmes, whilst also contributing to the company’s renewable energy work through Navantia Seanergies.

The three Fleet Solid Support ships will provide vital support to the Royal Navy’s Carrier Strike Group, supplying stores and ammunition to the UK’s aircraft carriers and their escort ships while at sea. As prime contractor for the FSS programme, Navantia UK is building three ships, with block manufacturing taking place across multiple sites and final integration and delivery at its Belfast shipyard.

Since acquiring Harland & Wolff’s four sites in January 2025, Navantia UK has begun investing to enhance the UK sovereign capabilities in defence, maritime and energy sectors. Drawing on Navantia’s global expertise, the company is modernising facilities, transferring knowledge and implementing new technologies – strengthening UK industrial capacity.
August 29, 2025