7,500 new jobs for Devonport dockyard

PLANNED GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT

- By WILLIAM TELFORD

MORE than 7,000 jobs are expected to be created at Plymouth’s Devonport Dockyard over the next decade as the Government commits billions of pounds to defence.

Dockyard operator Babcock International Group Plc said the employment boom will come on the back of a £4.4bn investment into the facility between now and 2034.

Meanwhile, Plymouth City Council said it is expecting about another £1.5bn to flow into the city, including the spending on the revamp of the Civic Centre.

The council has trumpeted a total investment pipeline of £6bn, including the defence cash, with council leader Tudor Evans saying: “With a £6bn investment pipeline over the next decade, plans for 10,000 new homes, and a major city centre regeneration, we are focused on driving sustainable growth and creating long-term value for investors and communities.”

And a huge investment in transport infrastructure is expected to come on top of this.

The council is also awaiting approval from the Government of a plan to create 10,000 homes in the city centre, possibly in up to 30 tower blocks, capitalising on the investment into the dockyard.