Latest news with #Lochhead
STV News
2 days ago
- Business
- STV News
SNP ‘all over the place' on funding for defence companies, claims Labour
The SNP has been accused of being 'all over the place' on state funding for defence companies, after the Government enterprise agency declined to back a Rolls-Royce welding skills centre. Rolls-Royce has been told the project in the Glasgow area cannot be supported with £2.5m of funding from Scottish Enterprise. A Scottish Government minister said the project could not be funded as it concerns 'munitions' and is part of a programme for building attack submarines. UK Defence Secretary John Healy has described the refusal to back the welding centre as 'student union politics'. SNP business minister Richard Lochhead responded to MSPs' questions on Tuesday. He said the Scottish Government and its agencies have a longstanding policy that public money should not support 'the manufacture of munitions'. PA Media Richard Lochhead said the project would be ineligible for Scottish Enterprise support PA Media Mr Lochhead said as the project concerns an 'attack submarine' it would be ineligible for Scottish Enterprise support, but a formal application had not been received. Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said: 'The Scottish Government's position is frankly incoherent and their policy on state funded aid for defence is all over the place and applied selectively.' She pointed out that the Government-owned shipyard Ferguson Marine is carrying out subcontractor work for the Royal Navy's Type 26 frigate programme – arguing 'there are munitions on the frigate'. Mr Lochhead responded, saying: 'The Scottish Government very much values the role of the defence sector in Scotland and the many jobs it sustains, and indeed the value it adds to the Scottish economy. 'For that reason £45m of support through our enterprise agencies has been allocated to defence companies or companies partially involved in defence activities.' PA Media Labour's Dame Jackie Baillie said the SNP is 'all over the place' PA Media Dame Jackie asked: 'What does the Government believe the Army, the Navy and the air force should defend the country with? 'Pea shooters, bows and arrows, a telling off?' Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr aid the SNP's position is 'not just incoherent, it's totally hypocritical'. Mr Lochhead said funding had focused on the diversification of industry, noting defence is reserved to the UK Government. He also said governments must take into account 'ethical considerations' when it comes to funding companies in the defence sector. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
SNP in munitions ban hypocrisy row over Ferguson Marine
READ MORE Road deaths increased to 160 in Scotland last year, figures show One in four Scots die from a condition which could have been prevented or treated Want to reduce the campervan menace? Why not enforce the legislation? The UK Government has said it is prepared to provide the £2.5 million shortfall if Scottish Enterprise does not step in. In Holyrood on Tuesday, Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie pointed out that the Scottish Government funds Ferguson Marine, which is subcontracted by BAE to work on Royal Navy frigates. 'There are munitions on the frigate. Why is that acceptable when funding Rolls-Royce in partnership with the Malin Group to establish a welding school is not? Is this a case of the SNP putting their party's interests before the interests of jobs, the economy and the best interests of Scotland?' she asked. The MSP said the Scottish Government's position amounted to believing the military were very important, but that they should not have weapons. 'So what does the Government believe that the Army, the Navy and the Air Force should defend the country with? Pea shooters? Bows and arrows? A telling off?' Welder doing some welding (Image: © Stewart Attwood Photography ) Dame Jackie asked if the Government would reconsider. Enterprise Minister Richard Lochhead insisted the Scottish Government 'very much values' the defence sector and said enterprise agencies had allocated £45 million to defence companies since the SNP came to power. But that there was a "policy that public money should not fund the manufacture of munitions.' Scottish Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr said the position was not just 'incoherent', but 'grossly hypocritical, totally hypocritical.' Patrick Harvie, co-leader of the Scottish Greens, supported the Government's stance, saying he was dismayed by the 'insulting and demeaning language' used by the Defence Secretary, who described the Scottish Government stance as 'student politics.' Mr Harvie added: 'Isn't it all the more galling when those comments come from a government that's willing to see arms provided to a genocidal regime like Israel?' READ MORE Pressed by Labour's Paul Sweeney, who warned the refusal had sent a 'toxic signal' to investors, Mr Lochhead said the Government's focus was on 'skills development and diversification' within the defence sector. Willie Rennie of the Scottish Liberal Democrats challenged ministers on their defence vision for an independent Scotland. 'Where will we buy them from? Will we make them ourselves, and if it is not the taxpayer who is going to fund them? These are serious questions that highlight the inconsistency in the SNP approach. So will an independent Scotland have any munitions at all?' Mr Lochhead said 'of course an independent Scotland would have conventional defence forces.'
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Minister to pitch Scottish business during trip to China and Japan
Scotland's business minister has begun a visit to China and Japan where he will aim to deepen economic and cultural ties with the two nations. Richard Lochhead will meet government representatives, potential investors and business leaders during his trip. The Scottish Government said China and Japan are increasingly important export markets for Scotland, with whisky and seafood exports to China tripling since 2005. Meanwhile, whisky sales to Japan jumped 7% last year – making it one of the top importers of Scotch in terms of value. During his trip to China, from April 8 to 12, Mr Lochhead will encourage greater collaboration between Scottish and Chinese academic institutions. In Japan, which he will visit from April 12 to 18, the minister will support eight Scottish gaming firms during meetings with potential customers and investors in Tokyo. The minister will also begin the first of three days of Scottish activity at Expo 2025 in Osaka. The event will showcase Scotland's gaming sector as well as consumer-focused businesses including distilleries, skincare companies and seafood specialists. Mr Lochhead said: 'Scotland is open for business and China and Japan are vitally important markets for Scottish companies. 'Over the next two weeks I will champion Scotland's world-class products, universities and technical expertise. 'I will also be promoting the many investment opportunities that our drive for net zero is delivering. 'In an increasingly volatile global economy, it is even more important that we help Scottish companies access new markets and deepen existing trading relationships.' Sign in to access your portfolio
The Independent
07-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Minister to pitch Scottish business during trip to China and Japan
Scotland's business minister has begun a visit to China and Japan where he will aim to deepen economic and cultural ties with the two nations. Richard Lochhead will meet government representatives, potential investors and business leaders during his trip. The Scottish Government said China and Japan are increasingly important export markets for Scotland, with whisky and seafood exports to China tripling since 2005. Meanwhile, whisky sales to Japan jumped 7% last year – making it one of the top importers of Scotch in terms of value. During his trip to China, from April 8 to 12, Mr Lochhead will encourage greater collaboration between Scottish and Chinese academic institutions. In Japan, which he will visit from April 12 to 18, the minister will support eight Scottish gaming firms during meetings with potential customers and investors in Tokyo. The minister will also begin the first of three days of Scottish activity at Expo 2025 in Osaka. The event will showcase Scotland's gaming sector as well as consumer-focused businesses including distilleries, skincare companies and seafood specialists. Mr Lochhead said: 'Scotland is open for business and China and Japan are vitally important markets for Scottish companies. 'Over the next two weeks I will champion Scotland's world-class products, universities and technical expertise. 'I will also be promoting the many investment opportunities that our drive for net zero is delivering. 'In an increasingly volatile global economy, it is even more important that we help Scottish companies access new markets and deepen existing trading relationships.'
The Independent
13-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Scottish Government acts to tackle Euro 2028 ticket touts
The Scottish Government is looking to crack down on 'unscrupulous ticket touts' before Scotland jointly hosts Euro 2028. Legislation has been introduced at Holyrood to ban the reselling of football tickets for a profit, either online or in person. Scotland will host some of the games at the tournament, which is being hosted by the UK and Ireland. A total of 24 national teams will take part in Euro 2028, with matches to be staged at various locations including Glasgow's Hampden stadium in June and July of that year. The Uefa European Championship (Scotland) Bill, which still has to be passed by MSPs, also sets out plans to restrict street trading and outdoor advertising within designated event zones. Breaching the laws could see fines of up to £20,000 imposed, with unlimited penalties for the most serious offences. Scottish business minister Richard Lochhead said: 'Hosting Euro 2028 is an opportunity for Scotland to shine globally and to welcome thousands of fans to our cities, pubs, restaurants, hotels and communities. 'Our reputation for hosting major sporting and cultural events is known the world over. Hosting one of the most prestigious sporting events is an opportunity to truly cement this legacy.' Mr Lochhead added the legislation 'intends to sustain the integrity of this world-class sporting event and enables us to grab the economic opportunities of the Euros by meeting our obligations as a host nation'. He said: 'That's why we want to tackle unscrupulous ticket touts and uphold our duties to Uefa as a privileged host nation.'
