Labour has fulfilled a pledge to provide funding for a new specialist welding skills centre in Glasgow after the SNP controversially vetoed the project because of its alleged links to munitions.
Funding for the project from the Scottish Government was refused, putting the centre in jeopardy, despite its backer – Rolls-Royce – denying any links to munitions.
In a speech to the Labour Party conference today, Defence Secretary John Healey will confirm that the UK Labour Government, working with Scottish Labour and Rolls-Royce, has stepped in to save the project with £2.5m in essential funding.
The new £11m Welding Development Facility on the Clyde will help support the next generation of Scottish defence workers.
It is expected to have a role servicing the revived shipbuilding sector, in particular the £10bn exports deal for Type 26 Frigates, to be built on the Clyde.
It comes after the SNP’s former defence spokesperson Stewart McDonald criticised his SNP colleagues for cutting any discussion of defence from the party’s forthcoming party conference.
Despite the ongoing war in Ukraine and growing Russian aggression, the recently published final version of the SNP conference agenda does not contain any mention of defence in all 27 motions scheduled.
Mr Healey said: “Labour is proud of the Scotland’s maritime heritage, and we are taking action to ensure its success long into the future.
“Where the SNP won’t back Scottish industry, young people or our national security, Labour will step in.
“With our record defence investment, and our record exports deals, Labour is making Scotland a shipbuilding superpower once again. We’ll deliver good, well-paid jobs and opportunities across the Clyde, Rosyth, Methil and beyond.”
#Healey #saves #welding #centre #munitions #row #Daily #Business