Faslane floating docks will be built in the UK, says Labour Chancellor

John Healey will say in his speech at Labour Party conference that a new contract to build huge dry docks for the UK’s nuclear submarine fleet at HMNB Clyde will be awarded through a UK-only competition.

The initiative is known as Programme Euston.

The Scotsman has previously reported on how trade union GMB Scotland and Labour MP Glenrothes and Mid Fife Richard Baker have been lobbying for the docks to be built at the Navantia yard in Methil, Fife.

Mr Healey will pledge a “new age of industrialisation” in his speech as he gives the Faslane announcement alongside another project - which are together worth billions of pounds.

Read more: Faslane floating docks must be built at Scottish yard, UK Government told

He is expected to say: “My politics were shaped by the industrial heartlands of South Yorkshire. Today, on the site of the Orgreave pit, is Rotherham's Advanced Manufacturing Park. Our coal mines are not coming back.

“But this is how Britain’s industrial past is being remade now for the modern world. This is the new age of industrialisation. A new confidence in Britain.”

The new floating docks will provide crucial maintenance for the UK’s current and future fleet of nuclear submarines, allowing essential inspections, upgrades and repairs to be carried out.

In addition to this, the Chancellor has also committed to fund at least £115 million for a new marine research vessel to help protect our seas.

Set to be operational in the early 2030s, it will continue the delivery of core research on our seas and oceans, replacing the current vessel which is nearing the end of its life.

The evidence it collects will help ensure the security of our seas, support sustainable fishing and give coastal communities confidence that fish stocks are being managed for the future.

Both projects will be delivered by British companies.

Read more: MoD urged to award Faslane contract to Scottish shipyard

Mr Healey said: "Britain has a proud shipbuilding heritage, and every pound of this strategic investment in a critical sector is backing British jobs on the Clyde and businesses across the UK, supporting growth in every postcode.

"By backing British shipyards, we are not only boosting national security but also securing resilience in the industries that will drive growth today while building the capabilities the country needs for the future."

Labour Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Defence spending should make Britain stronger in every sense. That means backing British by buying British wherever our industry can deliver.

“HM Naval Base Clyde is at the heart of our submarine service. Programme Euston will modernise it for decades to come, while backing British shipyards, workers and engineering.

“That is defence driving the reindustrialisation of Britain and strengthening our sovereign capability.”

The GMB and Fife MP Mr Baker have been pushing hard for the Methil yard to be given the contract.

The Chancellor’s announcement means that the docks could be built in Fife.

Spanish state-owned shipbuilder Navantia completed the takeover of the yard’s owner Harland and Wolff in January last year.

The deal covered the four H&W yards in Belfast, Appledore in Devon, Methil and Arnish in Stornoway.

It secured the future of 350 jobs in Scotland, and 1,000 UK jobs in total. The deal was backed by the UK Government.

The Belfast-based Harland and Wolff had gone into administration in September 2024.

Robert Deavy, GMB Scotland senior organiser in engineering, said: “For far too long, huge UK contracts have been sent around the world to fund good jobs everywhere but here.

“The world has changed though and it is good to see a UK government ready to invest in our sovereign industrial capability. It is beyond time.

“Programme Euston is a potentially transformative contract and promising it will remain in the UK will create optimism not only in Methil but in yards around the country.

“We urge the Scottish government to work with UK ministers to deliver the investment needed to support the necessary apprenticeships and training to secure this contract.”