Compelling new evidence shows the potential devastating impact of Portsmouth Naval Base closure on the south east’s economy
An independent report has been commissioned jointly by Portsmouth City Council and the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA). It shows that the naval base and associated defence related industries and jobs are worth £680 million to the region’s economy every year.
The report was produced by the University of Portsmouth and was commissioned as a result of the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) review of the future of Britain’s three main naval bases – Portsmouth, Devonport (Plymouth) and Clyde/Faslane.
The university report gives further proof of how Portsmouth Naval Base is at the heart of the local defence ‘supply chain’ with many small specialist industries working directly or indirectly for the base or one of the three large contracting companies based inside – VT Shipbuilding, Fleet Support Ltd. (FSL) and BAE Systems.
The base is a Centre of Excellence from design concept and shipbuilding to worldwide support, repair and disposal of ships. It has built up training excellence which it shares with related suppliers. Portsmouth and south Hampshire is also home to one of the UK’s leading high-tech super clusters spanning electronics, aerospace and defence, and IT.
The naval base is a key catalyst of this activity with research and development from internationally renowned companies providing the Royal Navy’s military advantage. The defence industry centred around Portsmouth and the wider south Hampshire economy has many of the skilled people and facilities needed to continue to deliver a world-class navy.
The new report, by the university’s Centre for Local and Regional Economic Analysis at the Portsmouth Business School, updates a previous study of 2005 and seeks to help the MoD to understand the role of the naval base in the local economy.
The University of Portsmouth recently re-ran its model based on the assumptions that were provided by the MoD’s Defence Analytical Services Agency. These assumptions, including the phasing of any job losses and clarification on the treatment of ships’ companies, has resulted in a clearer picture of any potential job losses and other indirect economic impacts.
Under current MoD assumptions, there could be up to 5,150 direct and indirect job losses - excluding ships’ crew - in Portsmouth, Fareham, Gosport and Havant alone.
For a full report on this issue go to www.marinesoutheast.co.uk/docs/journals where you can download the latest news from Portsmouth City Council and SEEDA on the Portsmouth Dockyard review.
The report was produced by the University of Portsmouth and was commissioned as a result of the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) review of the future of Britain’s three main naval bases – Portsmouth, Devonport (Plymouth) and Clyde/Faslane.
The university report gives further proof of how Portsmouth Naval Base is at the heart of the local defence ‘supply chain’ with many small specialist industries working directly or indirectly for the base or one of the three large contracting companies based inside – VT Shipbuilding, Fleet Support Ltd. (FSL) and BAE Systems.
The base is a Centre of Excellence from design concept and shipbuilding to worldwide support, repair and disposal of ships. It has built up training excellence which it shares with related suppliers. Portsmouth and south Hampshire is also home to one of the UK’s leading high-tech super clusters spanning electronics, aerospace and defence, and IT.
The naval base is a key catalyst of this activity with research and development from internationally renowned companies providing the Royal Navy’s military advantage. The defence industry centred around Portsmouth and the wider south Hampshire economy has many of the skilled people and facilities needed to continue to deliver a world-class navy.
The new report, by the university’s Centre for Local and Regional Economic Analysis at the Portsmouth Business School, updates a previous study of 2005 and seeks to help the MoD to understand the role of the naval base in the local economy.
The University of Portsmouth recently re-ran its model based on the assumptions that were provided by the MoD’s Defence Analytical Services Agency. These assumptions, including the phasing of any job losses and clarification on the treatment of ships’ companies, has resulted in a clearer picture of any potential job losses and other indirect economic impacts.
Under current MoD assumptions, there could be up to 5,150 direct and indirect job losses - excluding ships’ crew - in Portsmouth, Fareham, Gosport and Havant alone.
For a full report on this issue go to http://www.marinesoutheast.co.uk/docs/journalswhere you can download the latest news from Portsmouth City Council and SEEDA on the Portsmouth Dockyard review.
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