Latest Press Releases
| FOX ADMITS SCOTLAND DISPROPORTIONATELY HIT BY DEFENCE CUTS |
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| Wednesday, 08 June 2011 00:00 |
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The decline in Scotland’s defence footprint must be addressed by the UK Government the SNP has said, after the Defence Secretary admitted, during an evidence session at the Scottish Affairs Select Committee, that Scotland had endured disproportionate cuts over the last decade. Speaking during the session Defence Secretary Liam Fox admitted: “I am aware of the fact that, between 2000 and 2010, the total reduction [in service jobs] was 11.6% but the reduction in Scotland was 27.9%, so over the decade there were bigger reductions made in personnel as a proportion than in other parts of the UK.” Commenting on the admission by the Defence Secretary Moray’s MP Angus Robertson said: “ Given the Defence Secretary’s admission that Scotland has already been hit by disproportionate defence cuts he should give a clear commitment to maintain a balanced defence footprint across the nations and regions of the UK, that means retaining major assets in Scotland with RAF Lossiemouth being one of the biggest assets. “ Scotland has already endured mammoth defence cuts over the last decade, those cuts have to stop and the importance of RAF Lossiemouth to both strategic defence and to our economy recognised and protected. “ At present there are only just over 12,000 UK service-personnel in Scotland. That represents just over half the number that existed at the time of the last defence review in 1997. “ Given these unacceptable circumstances it is unbelievable that the UK Government is still considering the closure of air bases in Scotland and a 25% reduction in established Service personnel. “ The Ministry of Defence must decide whether it is committed to defence in Scotland.” |
