Birkenhead MP Frank Field is battling to safeguard jobs at Cammell Laird.

He is supporting the yard’s bids for two major shipbuilding orders – one from the Ministry of Defence and the other from Merseytravel.

And the MP has written to the Defence Secretary, Gavin Williamson, presenting the case for Laird’s to win the contract to build the Royal Navy’s new Type 31e frigates.

Mr Field emphasised benefits this would yield for the regional economy, national defence capabilities, and international competitiveness, as well as value for money.

Having previously raised Laird’s bid in the House of Commons in June, Mr Field is seeking to highlight the merits of the bid this afternoon in the latest session of Defence Questions.

He has written also to the Business Secretary, Greg Clark, and the Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram, seeking their backing for a new Mersey ferry to be built at Laird’s.

As things stand, this process is likely to be governed by EU competition rules – any yard in Europe could be awarded the contract.

Given that the UK is set to leave the EU in six months, and the Government says it is intent on revitalising our manufacturing base, Mr Field has asked the Business Secretary whether there are any immediate steps he can take to support Merseyside by ensuring orders are placed locally.

Mt Field said: "In the shipbuilding industry, the sure-fire way of being able to safeguard jobs is to keep bidding for and winning major orders. Cammell Laird is a world-leader in shipbuilding and I am determined to ensure it has a fighting chance of securing these two orders.

"The yard’s longstanding technical credibility and expertise, as well as its unique capabilities of driving innovation and upskilling the workforce, go hand in hand with its vital role in supporting small and medium sized businesses across our region."

News that 291 jobs are at risk emerged on October 11 and was described by the GMB union as a "kick in the the teeth."

A spokesman for the Birkenhead yard said at the time: "Cammell Laird is principally a marine and engineering contracting business.

"This means we can have peaks in demand for skilled and semi-skilled labour, which is the nature of contract-based industries.

"Contracting is our business model and that has enabled us to invest in our workforce infrastructure and apprentices to date, and will do so in the future.

"However, as a result of numerous contracts entering the latter phases, and without certainty in the award of similar contracts in the immediate term, the company needs to address its cost base to remain competitive.

"Consequently there are jobs at risk.

"The company has been working with the trade union discussing contracts coming to an end and those talks will continue this week.

"We continue to bid for numerous contracts around the world and we remain very optimistic for future growth."