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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| UK drops plans for £250m national flagship yacht | UK drops plans for £250m national flagship yacht |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The government released an artist's impression of the vessel last year | The government released an artist's impression of the vessel last year |
| Plans for a national flagship yacht to promote the UK abroad have been shelved, the defence secretary has announced. | Plans for a national flagship yacht to promote the UK abroad have been shelved, the defence secretary has announced. |
| Ben Wallace told MPs a competition to build the vessel, estimated to cost up to £250m, had been terminated. | Ben Wallace told MPs a competition to build the vessel, estimated to cost up to £250m, had been terminated. |
| The ship was commissioned by former PM Boris Johnson last year to host trade fairs and diplomatic events. | The ship was commissioned by former PM Boris Johnson last year to host trade fairs and diplomatic events. |
| No 10 said it was right to "prioritise" spending "at a time when difficult spending decisions need to be made". | No 10 said it was right to "prioritise" spending "at a time when difficult spending decisions need to be made". |
| The move comes as the government searches for spending cuts ahead of an autumn statement on 17 November, also likely to include tax rises. | The move comes as the government searches for spending cuts ahead of an autumn statement on 17 November, also likely to include tax rises. |
| Labour's shadow defence secretary John Healey said he welcomed the news "the previous prime minister's vanity project has been scrapped". | Labour's shadow defence secretary John Healey said he welcomed the news "the previous prime minister's vanity project has been scrapped". |
| Price tag for new flagship yacht could hit £250m | Price tag for new flagship yacht could hit £250m |
| Ministry of Defence to pay for 'national yacht' | Ministry of Defence to pay for 'national yacht' |
| 'Just me and the Queen' - Britannia memories | 'Just me and the Queen' - Britannia memories |
| The vessel, which was never given a name, would have succeeded the Royal Yacht Britannia, which was retired in 1997 after 44 years in service. | The vessel, which was never given a name, would have succeeded the Royal Yacht Britannia, which was retired in 1997 after 44 years in service. |
| It was originally meant to cost £150m when first announced, but Mr Wallace last year put the price at between £200m and £250m. | It was originally meant to cost £150m when first announced, but Mr Wallace last year put the price at between £200m and £250m. |
| The government had said it wanted the ship to be built in the UK, and enter service in 2024 or 2025. | The government had said it wanted the ship to be built in the UK, and enter service in 2024 or 2025. |
| Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Wallace said the government was "accelerating" the development of research and surveillance ships. | Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Wallace said the government was "accelerating" the development of research and surveillance ships. |
| He added that, after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, it was "right that we prioritise delivering capabilities that safeguard our national infrastructure". | He added that, after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, it was "right that we prioritise delivering capabilities that safeguard our national infrastructure". |
| The retired Royal Yacht Britannia is today berthed in Leith, near Edinburgh | |
| A spokesman for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told reporters: "With Russia's ongoing illegal war, it is right that we prioritise our capabilities." | A spokesman for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told reporters: "With Russia's ongoing illegal war, it is right that we prioritise our capabilities." |
| Mr Sunak "thinks it is right to prioritise at a time when difficult spending decisions need to be made," the spokesman added. | Mr Sunak "thinks it is right to prioritise at a time when difficult spending decisions need to be made," the spokesman added. |
| Speaking at an event to promote the flagship last year, Mr Wallace promised it would be the "jewel in the crown" of the government's shipbuilding strategy. | |
| "Our ambition is for something special, not just a cutting-edge ship, but a truly national flagship," he said. | |
| "I want the grandparents of the future, to boast to their grandchildren and say one day 'I helped to build that ship!'" he added. | |
| In a report last year, the Commons defence committee estimated the flagship would require 50-60 personnel and cost £20-30m a year to run. | |
| This would add to "ongoing pressure on an already constrained naval budget," the committee added. |