On 27 January the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne following a visit to the A&P Group in Falmouth (SW England) announced that the UK Government has awarded a &pind;15 million defence contract for the A&P Group that will create sixteen new jobs in Falmouth, Cornwall including six new apprenticeships. This work is for the installation of equipment to enhance four new tankers in order that they are ready for operations with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary on delivery.

A&P Group is one of Europe’s leading ship repair companies, is a major provider of marine engineering services to the UK Ministry of Defence and Foreign Navies. The Group operates seven dry docks across three strategic locations in the UK: the Tyne, the Tees and at Falmouth.