Member Info for LSE03

Https://www.gov.uk/government/news/helping-defence-contractors-fulfil-their-new-statutory-reporting-obligations

We are consulting stakeholders, ahead of formally issuing the new reporting guidance for consideration in March.

The guidance covers the new reporting implications following the introduction of:

Alternative pricing methods for contracts, which will see non-competitive defence contracts able to be priced in new ways. For example, an item could be priced by reference to competitive markets: simplifying and speeding up procurement.

More flexibility and transparency through broadening the ability for a contract to be split into different components or parts, each with its own profit rate and price (known as componentisation). This will allow contract prices to better reflect the risk-sharing between the MOD and defence contractors.

Rationalisation of how the contract profit rate is to be calculated, removing two steps from the existing six step process, and simplifying the agreement of contract profit rates.

The SSRO is hosting a series of Teach In and Q&A sessions for stakeholders on reporting topics. Dates and registration details are provided on the webpages linked below and have also been sent directly to stakeholders.

Back in Belfast

Https://www.gov.uk/government/case-studies/156-million-for-the-appledore-clean-maritime-innovation-centre-levelling-up-fund-2

Improving offshore wind capacity

The centre will provide a base for floating offshore wind activity in northern Devon, known as FLOW. Electricity generated by the Celtic Sea FLOW developments will be the equivalent of powering approximately three million homes and providing 3,000 jobs.

Find out more about the Appledore Clean Maritime Innovation Centre

Find out more about Levelling Up

Published 19 February 2024

Https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2023-01-18/debates/23011824000006/FleetSolidSupportShipsContractForManufacture?highlight=harland%20wolff#contribution-B14DE6A4-222D-4E29-A738-04ED04AED0C2

Blocks and modules for the ships will be constructed at Harland & Wolff’s facilities in Belfast and Appledore, and this work will also support the UK-based supply chain. Some build work will also take place at Navantia’s shipyard in Cadiz in Spain, in a collaboration allowing for key skills and technology transfer to the UK from a world-leading shipbuilder.

The entire final assembly will be completed at Harland & Wolff’s shipyard in Belfast, to BMT’s British design.

The awarding of this contract will see jobs created and work delivered in Appledore, Devon, Harland and Wolff Belfast and within the supply chain up and down the country. This announcement is good news for the UK shipbuilding industry. It will deliver long-term improvements in UK shipbuilding capacity and capability through investing in shipbuilding infrastructure, productivity, skills, and a more resilient supply chain. Overseas expertise will be used to transfer to the UK high value skills and provide inward investment in technology in the UK whilst meeting the UK’s security requirements.

The contract will also balance shipbuilding across the whole United Kingdom. Alongside the existing Type 26 and Type 31 frigate construction in Scotland, the Government are now committing substantial contracts to yards in England and Northern Ireland."

Https://euro-sd.com/2023/05/articles/31369/the-british-fleet-solid-support-ship-contract-award/

Https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/09/dsei-2023-uk-royal-navy-fss-design-demonstrates-adaptability-to-meet-long-term-csg-requirements/

Https://www.ge.com/news/press-releases/ge-vernova-to-equip-new-uk-fleet-solid-support-fss-ships-with-hybrid-electric-propulsion-technology

Under the contract, GE Vernova will design and manufacture SeaPulse* Active Front-End (AFE) power converters and Power Take-Off/Power Take-In (PTI/PTO) hybrid electric induction motor-generators with resilient shock mounts and flexible coupling and hosing. The scope of GE Vernova’s contract also includes commissioning, testing, sea trials, certification, and integrated logistics support (ILS) services to help ensure the seamless integration of the hybrid-electric propulsion technology into the FSS ships.

Aligned with the UK Government's National Shipbuilding Strategy Refresh, the program drives social and economic growth, fostering a resilient local supply chain and bolstering the nation's shipbuilding capacity for economic prosperity.1

Delivery of GE Vernova’s electric propulsion equipment for the first FSS ship is scheduled for 2025, with the second and third vessels planned for 2026 and 2027.

Sir Jeffrey M. Donaldson

(Lagan Valley) (DUP)

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May I, on behalf of my party, extend our best wishes to His Majesty the King for a full recovery?

I thank the Prime Minister for his dedication and leadership in helping us to restore our place in the United Kingdom and its internal market and to revive our political institutions at Stormont. The Union is more secure as a result of our combined endeavours and, together, we have greatly enhanced the potential to build a strong and prosperous economy that will help to cement our peace in Northern Ireland.

Securing peace in an unstable world is vital for all of us, so will the Prime Minister examine the findings of a recent report by Policy Exchange that calls for Northern Ireland to play an even greater role in the defence of our nation?

The Prime Minister

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May I start by thanking and paying tribute to my right hon. Friend for his own leadership over the past few months? He and I agree that the Union is stronger for the return of devolution and the work that we have done. I would be delighted to examine the findings of the report, and I have seen, with my own visits, the vital role that Northern Ireland is playing through the location of firms such as Thales and Harland & Wolff. However, as he will know, I was delighted that, in last week’s Command Paper, we specifically committed to examining how we can further bolster Northern Ireland’s share of the UK defence sector, because it is another essential pillar of our precious economic Union.

Https://dailybusinessgroup.co.uk/2024/02/starmer-sidesteps-energy-row-in-new-britain-pledge/

“When I walk around Scottish communities, I see glimpses of a future Scotland. I see it in the hydrogen and carbon capture cluster in Grangemouth, the Whitelee Windfarm outside this city, the innovative brilliance of the video gamers of Dundee, the strength and resilience of Scottish rural communities, the restless creative spirit of its cities, the allure of the Highlands, the beauty of the Islands.

“And most of all, from the shipyards of Fife to the rigs of Aberdeen and the hospitals that even now in terrible circumstances, do their best for the people of Scotland, I see the determination and pride of working people."

Meets with Sir Keir Starmer in Munich

https://twitter.com/SecBlinken/status/1758963219752743192

Press release : Northern Ireland

https://www.state.gov/secretary-blinkens-calls-with-northern-ireland-first-minister-oneill-deputy-first-minister-little-pengelly-and-democratic-unionist-party-leader-donaldson/

The Secretary congratulated the First Minister and deputy First Minister on their appointments and welcomed the restoration of the power-sharing government at Stormont. The Secretary encouraged the leaders to work collaboratively to deliver prosperity for the people of Northern Ireland and to model cooperative power-sharing for the world to see. The Secretary affirmed the U.S. commitment to Northern Ireland’s future and to preserving the gains of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement for all."

Timely new all-island energy policy report from Ibec and CBI Northern Ireland.

The single electricity market has been a ‘hidden giant’ off the Northern Ireland peace process over the past 26 years but it has been neglected and undermined recently (partly due to #Brexit but also the absence of a functioning executive in Northern Ireland) as I pointed out in a recent presentation at the Energy Ireland #Northern_Ireland_Energy_Forum (https://lnkd.in/e44f3Fq7).

This neglect is evident in lack of a strong focus on the all-island dimension in recent policy documents from Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications on energy security and on electricity interconnection and appears to have been somewhat of a blind spot to the #Shared_Island work programme at the Department of the Taoiseach unfortunately.

The recent MOU between Ireland and the UK on energy cooperation, along with the more recent reestablishment of the Stormont Assembly and appointment of a new Minister at Department for the Economy NI will hopefully provide the impetus to

1) refocus attention on strengthening the single electricity market

2) undertake the analysis recommended in this report for energy roadmaps to 2040 in Ireland and GB

3) consider strengthening security of gas supply on an all-island basis.

Amazing how some people have no confidence in the company but still take a lot of time to post about it. Almost irrational. Wouldn't they be better investing in a company they do believe in.

Ignoring £61m FPSO contract of course.

It's interesting, H&W clearly delivering on recruiting skilled workforce for the FSS project in a competitive marketplace. (Imagine the chat on the boards if recruitment was not on target). If recruitment is on track, you would expect the FSS contract to provide some funding to H&W to recognise

this?. A skilled workforce in place with yard upgrades hopefully will move H&W to a position of competitive advantage able to apply themselves to contracts across all sectors.

Https://www.petroc.ac.uk/about-the-college/news/devon-to-become-the-land-of-hydrogen-opportunity/

Https://www.northdevongazette.co.uk/news/local-news/1419754/national-apprenticeship-week-and-exciting-opportunities-on-the-horizon-for-torridge.html

Https://northlandpowerscotwind.co.uk/spiorad-na-mara/

Got it, partial extract

Arnish’s positive prospects reflect the apparent success of the multi-yard strategy adopted by the group’s founders, Infrastrata, since 2019 when they acquired the Belfast yard. All four yards were in distressed condition when brought into the Harland & Wolff fold.

However, their strategic locations around the UK have helped secure orders across a wide range of sectors. Arnish is now working on five barges for the Cory group which ships waste materials on the River Thames. These are part of a 23 barge order for Harland & Wolff which has been spread among the yards.

There are expectations of another significant order in the near future which will require an increase in the Arnish workforce.

Https://www.stornowaygazette.co.uk/business/arnish-secures-work-for-two-more-years-4519138

​The Arnish fabrication yard near Stornoway has work for the next two years and will shortly increase its 150-strong workforce by a further 50

Can anyone please share the rest of this story.

👍 Thought Kaeren was suggesting it was for cheaper fuel maybe.