Assurances sought over future of armed forces in Scotland

The Scottish Government has urged the new defence secretary to clarify the future of bases and armed forces personnel north of the border.

Scotland's Veterans Minister Keith Brown has written to Gavin Williamson calling for assurances over the defence footprint in Scotland.

In the first official correspondence between the two, he said Mr Williamson, who was appointed earlier this month following the resignation of Sir Michael Fallon over allegations of sexual harassment, must resist any further cuts.

It was announced last November that eight military sites in Scotland will close in the next 15 years, cutting the defence estate by a fifth.

In February Sir Michael announced that other Scottish military bases, including HM Naval Base Clyde, would be upgraded in a £1.7 billion investment programme.

Mr Brown said: `We are now one year on since the Ministry of Defence announced plans to cut the defence estate in Scotland by 20%, and there is now a threat of further cuts through the on-going National Security Capability Review.

`Only last week we heard from some of the most senior sources available that the armed services are critically underfunded - which makes the widespread reports of further cuts all the more concerning.

`This is causing a great deal of uncertainty for service personnel and their families, and for local communities across Scotland. In particular the Royal Marines who appear to have been singled out as a cost-cutting option.

`The Scottish Government remains strongly opposed to any further base closures in Scotland.

`I have written to Mr Williamson to ask for assurances to be provided on Royal Marine numbers and units stationed here in Scotland, and have urged him to confirm that Scotland's defence footprint will not be further debilitated by UK Government cuts.'

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