Merseyside shipyard and engineering services company Cammell Laird has told Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry MP that the company can play a central role in driving job and wealth creation in the region.
The Minister visited the site in Birkenhead on Wednesday (AUG 22) for the final stop of a ‘northern regions’ tour co-organised by the Northern Powerhouse Partnership. He was joined by founder of Northern Power Women Simone Roche MBE.
The tour was arranged to connect the Minister with businesses and workers across the northern region, to communicate the potential of the Northern Powerhouse and how it can impact on their lives.
Mr Berry was given full access to the shipyard before delivering a speech and Q&A session with the workforce including graduates and apprentices. The Rossendale and Darwen MP later attended a private meeting with senior management.
Cammell Laird Leander Frigate Project Director Tony Graham led the tour. Mr Graham, who has more than 30 years’ experience in the naval and defence sector, briefed Mr Berry on a series of major projects in which the yard is participating in as anticipated by the National Shipbuilding Strategy.
“The visit enabled us to emphasise the importance of the maritime sector not only to the Northern Powerhouse, but to the UK at large,” he said. “We enjoyed a well-rounded afternoon with Mr Berry, engaging with staff on all levels and hearing their valuable views on the economy and workplace. We were further able to discuss our recent successes, including the slipway launch of the government’s pioneering polar research vessel RRS Sir David Attenborough.
“Cammell Laird fully is in full support of the Northern Powerhouse vision for a globally-competitive northern economy with a flourishing private sector, a highly-skilled population, and world-renowned civic and business leadership. This is reflected in our ambitious export opportunities including the T31e Frigate bid to supply cutting-edge warships to navies around the world through BAE Systems global sales campaigns.
“We believe passionately in British engineering and local skill development. Our projects feed a massive supply chain across the North West region. Meanwhile, our apprenticeship programme is one of the biggest in the region providing long term skilled jobs for young people. Moreover each year we are generating tens of millions for the economy.”
Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry MP said: “I was delighted to finally fulfil my boyhood dream of visiting the shipyard at Cammell Laird to see first-hand the amazing work they do. The future of this yard is absolutely crucial to the future of Birkenhead and Liverpool and I will do all I can to support them.
“The Northern Powerhouse isn’t about party politics it’s about everyone in the North coming together which is why I’ll continue to work with the Labour Mayors of Liverpool and Manchester to drive the Northern Powerhouse forward for everyone in the North West and the whole of the North of England.”
According to the latest statistics, the Northern Powerhouse is worth more than £330 billion a year to the UK economy, and since 2014 its exports have steadily increased. The region now supports around 20pc of total UK goods exports – worth £60 billion in 2017.