Wirral shipyard wins £619m government contracts

Two employees of Cammell Laird's ship builders in Birkenhead are seen through a hole in the yard's wall. Credit: Peter Byrne/PA Archive/PA Images

Birkenhead shipyard and engineering company Cammell Laird has been awarded contracts worth £619m.

The two contracts, over 10 years, are to support the Royal Fleet Auxiliary - a civilian-manned fleet owned by the Ministry of Defence - and are a massive boost for the company, enabling it to continue to invest in its workforce, apprenticeship programme and infrastructure.

In total, Cammell Laird says winning the contract will sustain more than 300 jobs at the company and in the supply chain and create more than 100 apprenticeships.

Defence Minister Stuart Andrew announced the news as part of a deal covering 17 ships that will also bring jobs to Falmouth and Tyneside.