Responding to the announcement of the UK Government’s military basing review today (Monday), the Scottish National Party (SNP) said the announcement confirmed the “massive and disproportionate’ defence cuts to the Royal Air Force and Royal Marines in Scotland that had been feared.

Speaking after a statement in the House of Commons, SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP said:

“The UK Government had the opportunity to reverse more than a decade of decline in Scotland’s military footprint but has instead confirmed further massive and disproportionate cuts to the RAF and Royal Marines as well as the closure of military facilities.

“However the MoD try and dress this up, RAF personnel numbers are being cut by more than fifty per cent and the Royal Marines cut almost entirely in Scotland.

“We are also losing military facilities including Fort George, Craigiehall, Redford Barracks, Dreghorn Barracks and the Air Rescue Coordination Centre at Kinloss. For these communities we urgently need clarity from the MoD and a commitment that they will take their responsibilities seriously for the economic and social impact that these cuts will have.”

Commenting on news that RAF Lossiemouth will be consolidated as Scotland’s sole military airbase Mr Robertson, who is the Member of Parliament for Moray, said:

“The consolidation of RAF Lossiemouth is a huge victory for the community and a tribute to the campaigners who battled to save this vital base and the Moray community from the shock of a double base closure. Of course, there is also real sadness that RAF Leuchars will not remain an airbase. In Scotland there has been cross-party support for the retention of both Leuchars and Lossie as air-bases and it is unacceptable that the UK Government has rejected this, instead making massive and disproportionate cuts to the RAF in Scotland.”

The SNP MSP for North East Fife, Rod Campbell, who represents RAF Leuchars, said:

“This is a dark day for Fife as the UK Government presides over the end of the RAF’s 100 year presence at Leuchars. Coming just days after the UK Government said that it would shut Fife Ness coastguard station, people in Fife are paying a high price for the policies of the Liberal-Tory coalition.

“The Coalition Government’s decision is a hammer blow to the area and to the 1000 RAF personnel and their families who have made Fife their home.

“The strength of support shown by people across Fife for RAF Leuchars has been a testament to the role RAF personnel have played in the local community

“Moving the Army into Leuchars does not solve the problems created by the closure of the RAF base. Closing RAF Leuchars will have a significant impact on the population and economy of North East Fife.

“Liam Fox leaves many unanswered questions for Fife. When will the base close, will the personnel be transferred and when will the Army arrive? RAF Leuchars accounts for nearly 2000 jobs in the local economy and around £51 million of income.

“The MoD must immediately provide more details of their plans for Leuchars, the time scale and the number of troops heading to Fife.  We need a genuine assessment of the impact on the local economy and a clear plan from the MoD to ensure a smooth transition for people across Fife and that any detriment to the local economy will be addressed.  I will also be in touch with the Minister for Enterprise Fergus Ewing to ensure the continued support of the Scottish Government for the Fife economy.

“While welcoming all service personnel, the arrival of an Army presence will be no compensation today for those who have settled in Fife, who work at Leuchars and who now face a difficult future.”

Responding to the announcement of the UK Government’s military basing review today (Monday), the Scottish National Party (SNP) said the announcement confirmed the “massive and disproportionate’ defence cuts to the Royal Air Force and Royal Marines in Scotland that had been feared.

Speaking after a statement in the House of Commons, SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP said:

“The UK Government had the opportunity to reverse more than a decade of decline in Scotland’s military footprint but has instead confirmed further massive and disproportionate cuts to the RAF and Royal Marines as well as the closure of military facilities.

“However the MoD try and dress this up, RAF personnel numbers are being cut by more than fifty per cent and the Royal Marines cut almost entirely in Scotland.

“We are also losing military facilities including Fort George, Craigiehall, Redford Barracks, Dreghorn Barracks and the Air Rescue Coordination Centre at Kinloss. For these communities we urgently need clarity from the MoD and a commitment that they will take their responsibilities seriously for the economic and social impact that these cuts will have.”

Commenting on news that RAF Lossiemouth will be consolidated as Scotland’s sole military airbase Mr Robertson, who is the Member of Parliament for Moray, said:

“The consolidation of RAF Lossiemouth is a huge victory for the community and a tribute to the campaigners who battled to save this vital base and the Moray community from the shock of a double base closure. Of course, there is also real sadness that RAF Leuchars will not remain an airbase. In Scotland there has been cross-party support for the retention of both Leuchars and Lossie as air-bases and it is unacceptable that the UK Government has rejected this, instead making massive and disproportionate cuts to the RAF in Scotland.”

The SNP MSP for North East Fife, Rod Campbell, who represents RAF Leuchars, said:

“This is a dark day for Fife as the UK Government presides over the end of the RAF’s 100 year presence at Leuchars. Coming just days after the UK Government said that it would shut Fife Ness coastguard station, people in Fife are paying a high price for the policies of the Liberal-Tory coalition.

“The Coalition Government’s decision is a hammer blow to the area and to the 1000 RAF personnel and their families who have made Fife their home.

“The strength of support shown by people across Fife for RAF Leuchars has been a testament to the role RAF personnel have played in the local community

“Moving the Army into Leuchars does not solve the problems created by the closure of the RAF base. Closing RAF Leuchars will have a significant impact on the population and economy of North East Fife.

“Liam Fox leaves many unanswered questions for Fife. When will the base close, will the personnel be transferred and when will the Army arrive? RAF Leuchars accounts for nearly 2000 jobs in the local economy and around £51 million of income.

“The MoD must immediately provide more details of their plans for Leuchars, the time scale and the number of troops heading to Fife.  We need a genuine assessment of the impact on the local economy and a clear plan from the MoD to ensure a smooth transition for people across Fife and that any detriment to the local economy will be addressed.  I will also be in touch with the Minister for Enterprise Fergus Ewing to ensure the continued support of the Scottish Government for the Fife economy.

“While welcoming all service personnel, the arrival of an Army presence will be no compensation today for those who have settled in Fife, who work at Leuchars and who now face a difficult future.”