Scottish Government challenged by Livingston MP over its policy of not spending to support munitions manufacture
Gregor Poynton is calling for reform of the Scottish National Investment Bank's policies
Livingston MP Gregor Poynton has demanded the Scottish Government reverse its opposition to spending on the manufacture of munitions, warning Scotland risks being left behind as the UK commits billions to strengthening national security.
The Labour MP has written to Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, calling for urgent reform of the Scottish National Investment Bank's restrictive policies that prevent it from backing Scotland's defence companies.
The intervention follows Prime Minister Keir Starmer's announcement of new defence investments, including £15 billion for the UK's sovereign warhead programme and plans to build up to 12 new attack submarines.
The letter to the Deputy First Minister follows an announcement that defence spending will rise to £79.7 billion by 2027/28, with plans to build up to 12 new submarines, create six munitions' factories, and support 30,000 defence jobs across the UK.
The Scottish Government has reiterated that it is not its policy to use money from the public purse for the 'manufacture of munitions'.
Gregor Poynton MP labelled the Scottish Government stance as 'student union politics at its worst' and accused the SNP of being 'more concerned with ideology than protecting Scottish jobs and supporting our allies'.
He added: 'They'll condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine but refuse to let Scotland's public investment bank support the very industries helping Ukraine defend itself.
'This isn't principled, it's a dereliction of duty that will cost Scotland thousands of high-skilled jobs and billions in investment.'
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'The Scottish Government's long-standing policy position is that it does not use public money to support the manufacture of munitions.
'We recognise the importance of the aerospace, defence and shipbuilding sectors for Scotland's economy, and are committed to ensuring Scotland is the home of manufacturing and innovation.
'Ministers continue to engage with industries across the country as part of this work – including through support for defence markets to diversify into civilian markets, training support and job creation.
'We have received the letter and will respond in due course.'
However, the MP for Livingston claims Scotland risks missing out on this defence dividend due to the Scottish Government's blanket opposition to backing companies involved in defence manufacturing via the Scottish National Investment Bank.
Senior figures from Airbus, BAE Systems, and Babcock have told Parliament that allowing defence investment in Scotland would strengthen the industry and boost the economy.
In his letter to the Deputy First Minister, Gregor Poynton asks whether she agrees with maintaining 'blanket opposition to supporting defence-related projects, even when they would deliver thousands of high-skilled jobs and critical capabilities for Scotland.'
With the UK moving to 'war-fighting readiness,' he warned that Scotland's defence sector will be left behind while other parts of the UK surge ahead.
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