 Team UK estimates 2,000 British jobs would be safeguarded directly by the programme if it scoops the contract, with 1,500 more protected in the wider supply chain - and another 2,500 jobs indirectly benefiting in communities surrounding the yards. But insiders warn that if Team Resolute is picked, up to 40% of the work may go overseas. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace is set to be grilled about the plans when he appears before MPs on Wednesday. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace appears before the Commons Defence Select Committee on Wednesday ( AFP via Getty Images) Prospect union general secretary Mike Clancy said: 'At a time of economic turmoil and deteriorating global security, building warships overseas for the first time in UK naval history would be a calamity. 'We have the opportunity to invest in UK skills and support our dockyards by spending this money here – why you would want to spend it boosting Spain's economy instead of our own is beyond me. 'The new Prime Minister has indicated that stimulating growth is){kind=link}
Unions leading the fight for Team UK to win the prestigious Fleet Solid Support ship contract believe the Tories are poised to send it offshore
Campaigners fear the Tories are set to snub British workers and award a £1.6billion defence deal to a Spanish-led bid.
The Government is poised to announce the winner of a competition to build three, 40,000-tonne Fleet Solid Support ships to resupply Royal Navy vessels at sea.
A decision is expected within weeks – and if the contract goes to a consortium spearheaded by a company based abroad it will be the first time British warships have been built overseas.
Industry insiders believe Team Resolute, led by Spanish shipbuilder Navantia, could land the deal – scuppering the hopes of Team UK, which includes British firms such as BAE Systems and Babcock.