News: Maritime UK responds to Prime Minister's speech on increased military investment

Following the announcement of increased military investment by the Prime Minister, Maritime UK Chair, Harry Theochari, said:

“As an island nation the maritime sector has long bought prosperity to our shores. While our shipyards, designers and manufacturers have equipped the Royal Navy to be one of the world’s foremost maritime powers. 

“In an increasingly uncertain geopolitical context, the sector relies upon the Royal Navy to protect freedom of navigation, maintain free trade, and ensure the international rules-based order upon which we rely. 

“Building more ships with cutting-edge technology for the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary will create thousands of jobs across the United Kingdom, including at shipyards in coastal economies that have long needed a helping hand from government. 

“As we look to rebuild our economy from COVID-19, shipbuilding and maritime can form a key part of the recovery in many parts of the country that the Johnson government has promised to ‘level-up’. 

“Maritime investment delivers high quality, well-paid jobs. For every maritime job created, five more are added across the economy. This is a critical moment in our country’s history, and we welcome the decision to put maritime at the heart of a new future for defence in the UK.

“Adding today’s news to Monday’s on Free ports and yesterday’s Ten-Point Plan - which recognised maritime as a key engine of the new green industrial revolution - means that the UK is well and truly backing maritime for its future prosperity. We look forward to working with government to deliver against this shared ambition.”