Garry Graham, deputy general secretary of Prospect – one of the UK’s leading defence unions, responding to the Defence Secretary’s visit to Babcock in Devon today, said:

“An early decision on the contract for the new Class 31e frigates is essential both to maintain UK naval capacity and to secure shipyard jobs.

“Britain has a world-class defence and shipbuilding industry but jobs remain at risk unless ministers can provide certainty about future orders.

“The shipbuilding strategy proposed spreading work across UK shipyards to secure skilled engineering jobs, it is important that the government keeps to its commitment to award the contract for the Class 31e frigates in 2018.

“We welcome the Minster’s visit to Babcock and hope it signals an early decision to safeguard jobs at a number of shipyards across the UK.”