Minister for Defence Procurement Harriett Baldwin today visited Faslane for the first time, saying the base made ‘a huge contribution’ to the local economy.
One of Scotland’s largest employment sites, HM Naval Base Clyde is expected by the MoD to employ 8,200 people by 2022.
Mrs Baldwin met personnel from the Royal Navy’s submarine flotilla as well as some of the employees and contractors who support the base.
She said: “Scotland has long been central to the success of our Armed Forces and the investment we are making at Faslane is crucial to maintaining that and will make a huge contribution to the local economy, bringing vital job security to our people and their families.”
The Minister was given a tour of one of the Vanguard class submarines which carry Trident nuclear missiles.
She also saw the waterfront engineering support facilities including the giant ship lift, used to lift the 16,000 tonne submarines out of the water when maintenance work is needed.
In October Defence Secretary Michael Fallon started work on Vanguard’s successor, the £1.3bn Dreadnought programme, when he carried out the first ‘steel cut’.
Mrs Baldwin is pictured with Captain Carl Lias, Superintendent Fleet Maintenance, Valiant Jetty facility manager, Andrew Pursey and Rear Admiral John Weale.
And she probably does not even know one end from the other ….sickening