Details on the investment in His Majesty’s Naval Base Portsmouth have been confirmed by the Defence Minister in a letter to Portsmouth MP Stephen Morgan.
At the Spring Statement the Chancellor announced a further £2.2 billion funding increase for defence from April, as she warned that Britain has to “move quickly in a changing world”.
The investment will help fund upgrades to infrastructure at His Majesty’s Naval Base Portsmouth, securing its ability to support Royal Navy operations into the future.
Following the announcement, Mr Morgan wrote to the Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle MP, welcoming the announcement and confirming plans for the funding.
In her response to the city MP, the Defence Minister confirmed the funding secures the long-term future of Portsmouth Naval Base, building on the city’s proud maritime heritage to deliver a modern, resilient and productive home base that will enable and sustain the Royal Navy long into the future.
The investment, known as Project Bentham, will increase the number of operational jetties and ship berths, protecting against forecast sea level rises and improving ship availability and operational readiness.
The investment will replace and regenerate aging buildings and infrastructure with modern, retention-positive, carbon-efficient accommodation, welfare and working facilities.
The Minister also confirmed it will provide large-scale carbon reduction and emissions offsets, reducing energy costs and supporting base optimisation and rationalisation.
Mr Morgan has long campaigned for investment to protect the future of HMNB Portsmouth and last month hosted Defence Minister Maria Eagle in Portsmouth where they discussed investment opportunities at the Base to ensure it is fit for the future.
On the visit, joined by Labour MP for Portsmouth North Amanda Martin, the group toured some of the ageing facilities and infrastructure at the base and discussed opportunities to invest in innovation and skills needed to meet future challenges and to secure the Base’s long-term future.
Commenting, Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan said:
“It is great to get further confirmation from the Defence Minister of the Government’s ambitious commitment to building on our city’s proud history to deliver a modern, resilient and productive naval base.
“Having long campaigned for investment in the Naval Base, I was delighted to see the Chancellor’s announcement at the Spring Statement which will enable and sustain the Royal Navy’s presence in Portsmouth long into the future.
“I will continue working with Ministers to ensure this investment delivers the upgrades and regeneration the base needs while delivering jobs, skills and growth in our city.”
Mr Morgan recently hosted a ‘Defence is an Engine for Growth’ Roundtable with local businesses and trade unions to contribute to the Labour Government’s defence policy plans.
The Portsmouth MPs agreed to continue working with local businesses and unions to ensure Portsmouth receives the investment it deserves and defence jobs continue to come to the city.
