Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visits Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead as the company welcomes his pledge to increase defence expenditure to 2.5% of GDP. Tony McDonough reports

Cammell Laird has hosted Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to its Birkenhead shipyard and welcomed his pledge to increase defence expenditure to 2.5 % of GDP by April 2027.

Since the 19th century Cammell Laird has played its role in the defence of the UK with the construction of multiple Royal Navy vessels. It is also currently responsible for the upkeep of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels, formerly known as the Merchant Navy.

Between 2014 and 2016 the company, part of the APCL Group, built flight deck hangers and accommodation sections for the HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carriers.

It is currently involved in the build of the Royal Navy’s Type 26 Frigates and is keen to play a role in the development of a new generation of amphibious vessels capable of deploying Royal Marines across the globe.

With the US under new President Donald Trump signalling a possible pullback from NATO, European Governments are now acknowledging they need to spend more on defence to combat growing threats, particularly from Russia.

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On his visit to Cammell Laird, the Prime Minister met APCL chief executive David McGinley as well as shipyard workers and apprentices.

In a statement the company said: “The Prime Minister saw at first hand the programmes APCL delivers and found out about APCL Cammell Laird’s shipbuilding and ship repair capabilities – which are more vital than ever before.

“Sir Keir enjoyed a tour of APCL Cammell Laird’s facility where he met with apprentices who are working on the Royal Navy’s Type 26 Frigates and the first Mersey Ferry to be built in 60 years, followed by a visit to RFA Tidespring.”

Cammell Laird currently has 171 apprentices in training – this figure will grow to 200 by September 2025. It added: “We were delighted to hear commitment from the Prime Minister that apprenticeships and training are at the forefront of his agenda.”

Sir Keir then invited the workforce for a Q&A where staff had the opportunity to ask questions about the future of UK shipbuilding, defence spending and his plan for ensuring young people and women are encouraged into the industry.