The Prime Minister says he wants the significant increase in defence spending by his government to translate into job opportunities for businesses in Merseyside.
Sir Keir Starmer was at the Cammell Laird shipyard in Wirral on Thursday, where he met staff and assured them of their crucial role in the country's defence plans. Last week, Sir Keir unveiled plans to escalate defence spending to 2.5% of the national income by 2027.
This decision comes as European leaders are considering bolstering their defence policies amidst concerns that the US might negotiate a deal with Russia over its conflict with Ukraine, potentially leaving Europe in a precarious situation. However, while addressing workers and apprentices at Cammell Laird today, the Prime Minister expressed his wish for the substantial increase in defence spending to be perceived as an 'opportunity' in addition to being a key security responsibility.
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He stated that shipyards like the one in Birkenhead would play an essential role and could potentially see a surge in work and employment opportunities.
In an interview with , the Prime Minister said: "On the really important issue of defence and security of our country, last week I announced the highest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, up to 2.5% by 2027, so that's a really tight timetable and then onward from there. I did that because the defence and security of our country is the first duty of the Prime Minister and I take it extremely seriously.
"So it is a duty but it is also an opportunity because I want to see that extra spend go into British jobs, British skills, British opportunities and British businesses like Cammell Laird. They have a fantastic workforce here and their strapline is 'proud to support those who serve' and I want to see the extra spend go into jobs in places like this so that we get the economic boom and so that we get economic stability and security as well as the security we need in this country."
During his visit to Cammell Laird, a leading global maritime defence sector company, the Prime Minister praised the workers, urging them to take pride in their efforts, which he believes provide vital support to the country's armed forces.
He expressed: "Coming and seeing what you are doing is a real highlight for me, you can't read about this sort of thing, you need to come and see it, the scale of it, the size of it and the skill that is required for what you do."
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The PM pointed out that one of the Cammell Laird meeting rooms was adorned with the slogan 'Proudly supporting those who serve'. And he told staff: "That is what you do."
He added: "There is always the front line – our armed forces – who are doing a fantastic job, but they wouldn't be able to do their job if they didn't have you, proudly supporting what they are doing. So I hope you feel a real sense of pride in the work that you are doing, because you are serving your country."
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