Serious questions are being raised over defence giant Babcock International's assertion that its operations at Devonport Dockyard in Plymouth will create more than 7,000 jobs in the next ten years. The ambitious claim, linked to a multi-billion pound investment, is now facing scrutiny from local politicians who are demanding greater transparency.
Investment and Employment Projections
Last month, Babcock International Group Plc outlined significant workforce growth plans following a £4.4bn investment in the Plymouth facility between now and 2034. The company clarified that it will need 5,500 employees to sustain current defence operations, with an extra 2,000 construction workers required for a major dockyard redevelopment over the coming decade.
In its recent half-year results, Babcock confirmed it is already expanding its Devonport workforce in preparation for the future arrival of the Royal Navy's Type 26 frigates, which are currently under construction. Plymouth City Council has also indicated it expects around £1.5bn of additional investment to flow into the city, including funds for projects like the Civic Centre refurbishment.
Political Scrutiny and Demands for Clarity
However, opposition Conservative councillors are challenging the robustness of these figures. They are questioning whether the projected jobs justify separate council proposals to construct 10,000 new homes in Plymouth city centre.
Troy group spokesman, Councillor Lee Finn, has been particularly vocal. He pointed out that the Devonport Dockyard frigate complex may lack the capacity for the new Type 26 vessels. "Various reports are stating that although a number of new frigates will be ported at Devonport any deep maintenance will have to be undertaken at Portsmouth," he said.
Councillor Finn directly questioned the need for thousands of new workers, asking: "Considering the lack of work going forward, how on earth will the dockyard and Babcock need another 5,500 workers? To do what? To service what?" He argued that the planned surface ship workload appears limited, leaving mainly submarine work for a static workforce that has remained at 3,500 to 4,000 for the past three decades.
Broader Implications and Unanswered Questions
The councillor stated he would seek official clarification from both the Government and Plymouth City Council on the rationale for 10,000 new homes, a plan he suggests is based on a jobs claim that may not be supported by the known future workload of the Royal Navy.
He further challenged the fundamental premise of the dockyard upgrade, raising a critical question about public funding: "A further question arises to why the tax payer is funding facility upgrades to assets that belong to a private company?" Councillor Finn has also urged the Government to provide more details on future berthing and maintenance arrangements for the new frigate fleet.
The debate highlights the tension between ambitious regional economic development plans and the demand for concrete, evidence-based projections to support large-scale housing and infrastructure decisions.
