Defence rethink is needed says Rosyth dockyard MP

Contracts worth about £1.25bn have been awarded for building two aircraft carriers even though the project may not go ahead, figures have revealed.

The figures came in answer to a parliamentary question by Labour MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, Thomas Docherty.

They show that more than 100 contracts have already been awarded to companies across the UK.

It emerged on Wednesday that the £5bn project to build HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales on the Clyde, at Rosyth in Fife, in Appledore, Devon, and Portsmouth could be under threat.

An MOD Spokesman said: “The Defence Secretary has made clear that tough decisions will need to be made but the complex process of a Strategic Defence and Security Review will be concluded in the Autumn and speculation at this stage about its outcome is entirely unfounded.”

Mr Docherty says the government must rethink its approach to cuts in defence spending.

Aircraft carrier footage provided by Lockheed Martin