Asked by: Joani Reid (Labour - East Kilbride and Strathaven)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help create defence jobs in Scotland.
Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland
Scotland’s defence industry is vital to the UK’s security and economy. The newly published Defence Industrial Strategy is clear that this government will prioritise UK-based defence firms, including those in Scotland.
As part of Brand Scotland, I have been promoting the Scottish defence industry in Norway and in South-East Asia, where I visited HMS Spey, constructed by BAE Systems on the Clyde.
I welcome the announcement by BAE Systems that they will be investing £1 billion in education and skills across the UK, which will lead to more than 200 jobs in Glasgow.