SNP COMMENT ON MINISTER’S DEFENCE CUTS WARNINGS

For Immediate Use: Wednesday 29th September 2010


Attn: NEWSDESKS
POLITICAL CORRESPONDENTS


Commenting on the leaked letter written by UK Defence Secretary Liam Fox which warns the Prime Minister about "draconian" spending cuts in the MoD resulting in "grave consequences", the SNP’s Westminster SNP Leader and Defence Spokesman Angus Robertson MP said it raised further questions about defence cuts in Scotland where the defence footprint is already 36% lower than the overall UK figure.


Commenting Mr Robertson said:


“This letter and its warnings also raise questions about the prospect of severe cuts to the defence footprint in Scotland.


“Since the last strategic spending review, Scotland has endured the loss of 10 000 defence jobs and a £5.6bn underspend – a 36% shortfall compared to the UK overall. It begs the question of why Scotland should face the 10% in further cuts proposed by the UK Treasury.


“However the evidence surrounding the SDSR suggests that the MoD is set to continue the trend of concentrating defence manpower, basing and spending in the South of England.


“The SDSR must consider whether the UK is committed to a future for conventional defence across the UK. Will there be a continuing defence footprint in the different nations and regions of the UK including manpower, basing and spending?


“Unless the SDSR and Ministers consider this as a priority now, the conventional UK armed forces will become even more concentrated in the South of England."