SNP Deputy Leader Nicola Sturgeon has claimed that cancellation of the contracts to build carriers on the Clyde and at Rosyth, given the amount of cash already committed to the project, would be “madness”.
The MSP for Govan issued the statement after it emerged that contracts worth £1.25bn have already been awarded for the £5bn aircraft carrier project threatened with cancellation.
SNP Deputy Leader Nicola Sturgeon has claimed that cancellation of the contracts to build carriers on the Clyde and at Rosyth, given the amount of cash already committed to the project, would be “madness”.
The MSP for Govan issued the statement after it emerged that contracts worth £1.25bn have already been awarded for the £5bn aircraft carrier project threatened with cancellation.
Ms Sturgeon said:
“These figures just expose the madness of considering the cancellation of the contracts for the two aircraft carriers.
“It would be crazy to cancel these contracts and not only lose the jobs and skills they will provide but the money already being signed off.”
SNP Defence spokesperson and Westminster leader, Angus Robertson MP, added:
“At this time it is political consensus and cross-party working that is needed to support the workers in the Clyde yards and secure the carrier contracts.
“The SNP will continue to work with any party and any politicians that have the best interests of the yards and the workforce as their priority and I look forward to tomorrow’s meeting taking this forward.”
Leaders of Holyrood’s opposition parties are to join the Scottish Government tomorrow in a meeting set up by First Minister Alex Salmond to discuss the implications of the UK Government’s strategic defence review. Mr Salmond has called for a united front from all of Scotland’s political leaders in order to defend up to 10,000 Scottish jobs that rely on the carrier contracts.
