Prime minister David Cameron visited Portsmouth today after revealing the names of two firms set to take on the city’s shipyard.
The News revealed this morning that new life will be breathed into the empty shiphall in Portsmouth as firms Magma Structures and BAE Systems will set up shop in Portsmouth Naval Base.
Mr Cameron was given a tour of the base including the jetties which will eventually hold the Royal Navy’s two new aircraft carriers.
He also met with apprentices from Vector Aerospace in Gosport, which has today won a £420m contract to service the Royal Air Force’s fleet of Chinooks.
As the prime minister spoke with the apprentices, a Chinook helicopter carried out a fly-past of the naval base.
Portsmouth North MP Penny Mordaunt said: ‘It was great to welcome to the prime minister here today.
‘I wanted us to have a brand as the maritime heart of the UK, and that is what we have now.
‘People in Portsmouth can look to the future with confidence.’
The shipbuilding announcement has been welcomed by minister for Portsmouth Matthew Hancock, Portsmouth North MP Penny Mordaunt and city council leader Donna Jones.
Mr Cameron went on to visit Sir Ben Ainslie’s America’s Cup race base.