Paying shipyards to build slowly and retain unused capacity

The criticism of British shipbuilding policy is that orders are deliberately stretched, paying yards to work less efficiently so construction lasts longer. The Type 23 programme illustrates the separate effects of inflation, repeated production and a shortened order. Its planned twenty-four ships are contrasted with the sixteen built, with the suggestion that continued construction could have kept a productive yard occupied until Type 45 work began. American carrier and destroyer programmes are criticised for paying to preserve construction capacity while ordering below it. One panellist qualifies that criticism: spare capacity can have value depending on fleet requirements. These yards also remain companies owned by shareholders and other private entities.