Clyde firm wins £85 million carrier contract

GLASGOW firm Henry Abram & Sons has won an £85 million government contract to assist in the construction of the UK's largest ever aircraft carriers.

• A computer-generated image of the HMS Queen Elizabeth

The shipping specialist will deliver components built at shipyards around the UK to the Rosyth dockyard in Fife where the Navy super carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales are being built.

Around 1.1 billion of subcontracts have been awarded so far for the

construction of the carriers.

The carriers' development is being led by the Aircraft Carrier Alliance consortium, which includes BAE Systems.

Michael Abram, from Henry Abram & Sons, said: "The scope of work is challenging but we have worked very well with BAE for many years and look forward to working together again."

The firm which employs 22 people says it is planning to recruit naval architects, structural engineers, design engineers, graduates and administration staff.

The work will be carried out along with Abram's partners Malin Marine Consultants Ltd, Anchor Marine Transportation Ltd and Abnormal Load Engineering Ltd.

The Labour MP for Glasgow South West, Ian Davidson, said: "It reminds us of the importance of the UK in keeping our shipbuilding industry alive and shows the Labour Government is committed to building these carriers.

"What we need now is for the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats to make clear whether they support the carrier contracts and for the SNP to admit that under their plans there would be no carriers at all."

Secretary of State for Scotland Jim Murphy said: "This latest news underlines the importance of the UK defence industry to Scotland and how the MoD's shipbuilding programme in Scotland underpins real jobs, real apprenticeships and a real future; one that is only possible because of our place within the UK."