Carrier fears at shipyard

Fears are being raised that Barrow shipyard in England could miss out on building sections of a giant new aircraft carrier. It was planned that Barrow, part of the BAE group, would build 16,800-tonne centre sections for each of two Royal Navy ships while yards in Scotland and Portsmouth would build the other four.

The new plan involves three aircraft carriers, including one for France, built largely to the UK design. But, in that option, two sections for each vessel would be built in France, by DCN, one in Portsmouth and two on the Clyde. The move follows France joining the British carrier programme.

Also, the UK?s Ministry of Defence is pressing for cuts in the projected £3.8bn cost of its ships.

BAE believe however that Barrow is still very much in the running to build the central section for each ship as in the original plan. If that happens a new DDH-style building will go up in the yard and up to 600 jobs will be created, mostly for contractors.

The review will be completed by the end of April and will recommend a preferred option. A decision by the government is expected in May.