DON'T SINK OUR NAVY

Labour politician warns of rising Russian threat after year without new orders from the MoD

- CHRIS McCALL

SCOTS shipyards are facing "feast or famine" due to a collapse in orders from the Royal Navy, a Labour MSP has warned.

Paul Sweeney said 2024 was an "unprecedented" year for the Senior Service as no new ships were ordered and none were commissioned - while nine were ruled surplus to requirements.

The MSP, convener of Holyrood's cross-party group on shipbuilding, said the Navy faced "continuing decline" at a time of rising threats from overseas powers like Russia.

Sweeney said there was a need to speed up the process in which new ships were designed, ordered and commissioned into service.

He told the Record: "The continuing decline of the Navy is deeply concerning as the naval threats we face grow daily.