SNP fears contract for frigates will be cut to fund trident replacement
The SNP is calling for immediate clarification'' from the Defence Secretary on the future of the contract to build frigates on the Clyde.
Bill Kidd, MSP for Glasgow Anniesland, has written to Michael Fallon saying that he is concerned about reports the contract for the 13 new Type 26 frigates could be cut to pay for Trident replacement'' as part of the UK Government's Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR).
He said he had a deep concern'' that the number would be reduced to eight, and also raised the issue in the Scottish Parliament earlier this week.
I have written to UK Defence Minister Michael Fallon demanding immediate clarification on these key contracts for shipbuilding on the Clyde - and making absolutely clear that for workers' jobs to be put at risk to pay the £167 billion bill for Trident weapons of mass destruction would be absolutely unacceptable,'' he said.
During the independence referendum there was a clear pledge from the UK Government that if Scotland voted no, the work for 13 of these frigates would be awarded to the Clyde. One year on, shipyard workers are hearing about possible cuts to their workload through the press - as the Tories put useless nuclear weapons ahead of conventional naval forces and the jobs of our shipbuilders.
We are now in the ridiculous situation where Scotland - despite being a maritime nation - is without a single maritime patrol aircraft to defend our waters and without the proper conventional naval vessels. All the while Westminster presses on with renewing the immoral and completely useless nuclear arsenal only miles from Glasgow.''
He added: As the cost of replacing Trident soars to £167 billion, it's simply unacceptable for shipbuilding jobs on the Clyde to be sold down the river to pay for it. It's time for the UK Government to put their money where their mouth is and protect shipbuilding jobs on the Clyde - or we will see once and for all that their promises during the referendum were completely hollow.''
An MOD spokeswoman said: This government has chosen to prioritise defence. That's why we are increasing the budget each year until the end of the decade and meeting the Nato commitment to spend 2% on GDP throughout that period. That means the defence review will deliver more of the equipment our armed forces need to keep our country safe, with Scotland at the heart of our plan.
We are doing that because we live in a darker and more dangerous world, which is why it is absolutely right we maintain a nuclear deterrent: the ultimate guarantee of our national security.''