Prospect deputy general secretary Garry Graham said:

“A steady drumbeat of shipbuilding orders is essential to sustain our skills base, maintain sovereign capacity and keep people in work in yards across the country, so it is welcome that the government have finally given the go-ahead for this work.

“It is vital that there are no further delays in this process and that a decision can be made as early as possible to allow the industry to plan ahead with certainty.

“The government must also now press ahead with the contracts for the Fleet Solid Support ships which should be built in the UK as recommended in Sir John Parker’s review.”