UK minister tells SNP to 'step up' and back Iran war effort as Scottish defence deal confirmed
The UK government has announced a £50m defence growth deal for Scotland - and is calling on SNP ministers to put forward funding.
A UK minister has called on SNP politicians to “step up and show their support” for the military operations in the Middle East after announcing the creation of two defence technical excellence colleges in Scotland if its funding is matched by SNP ministers.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has indicated the Scottish government is keen to play a role in the defence growth deal in Scotland, if SNP ministers are able to play a collaborative role.
Mr Pollard told journalists at the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland in Paisley that “personnel from Scotland” are taking part in operations in the Middle East, both in protecting assets and allies in Cyprus and “the forward deployed nature that we have in Qatar, in particular”.
He added: “The joint squadron that we have, for instance, with the typhoons, is a joint RAF- Qatari air force mission.
“Scotland is such a key typhoon base, especially out of Lossiemouth where we have the quick reaction aircraft, there’s expertise from the entirety of the UK including Scotland providing UK defensive operation. It is a whole of the UK effort.”
Mr Pollard was asked about the SNP’s opposition to the UK’s involvement in the conflict in Iran and the wider Middle East. The SNP has also raised questions about the US military’s use of Prestwick Airport.
He said: “I want to see that cross-party message, that cross-UK message being louder from every party.
“We’ve seen very clearly the shift from the prime minister in the past few days - international leadership and clarity on not participating in offensive operations, which I believe is backed strongly by the UK population.”
“But we need to see that from every single party”, Mr Pollard added.
“That’s not just about the support here, there needs to be support for our national security.
“We can see we’re living in more dangerous times, so this is a moment for people to step up and show their support - not just for our people in combat operations, but the industry as well.”
As part of a £50 million growth deal, UK ministers also pledged money for innovation centres in Rosyth, Fife, and near the Faslane naval base in Argyll and Bute.
Some £10 million has been set aside for two “defence technical excellence colleges” (DTEC), one of which would be in the east of Scotland and the other in the west.
The UK ministers said that if their money is matched by the Scottish government, they will work with colleges to understand which institutions could receive the DTEC status.
They said the colleges would provide pathways to highly-skilled careers in the defence industry.
While defence is a matter reserved to Westminster, education and skills are devolved to Holyrood.
Mr Pollard said that UK ministers have “been absolutely clear with the Scottish government that we expect to see more support for skills in Scotland”.
He added: “We need to see a collaborative approach on skills if we’re to realise the full benefit of that increasing defence budget.”
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander called on the Scottish government to “now work with us and match-fund these colleges”.
Ms Forbes said that “investment in Scotland’s defence sector is welcome”.
She added: “The Scottish government has been clear that engagement and collaboration on the UK government’s defence growth deal is essential to deliver maximum economic opportunities for Scotland.
“The Scottish government has requested a role on the committee which will support the design and implementation of the defence growth deal in Scotland.”
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