Defence spending means more jobs for Scotland, says foreign secretary

UK foreign secretary David Lammy has said that UK defence spending “means more jobs and more opportunity” here in Scotland.

On Thursday’s visit to BAE Systems in Glasgow, Lammy was shown around a Type-26 frigate and met apprentices at the new training academy.

Speaking exclusively with STV News after the visit, Lammy said the UK Government’s additional £2.2bn investment in national defence would bring more jobs and opportunities for people in Scotland.

“It’s important in these troubled times, particularly in terms of defence and security here in Europe, that we made the decision to increase our defence spending at an accelerated rate so that we can get to 2.5% of GDP by 2027,” Lammy said.

“Yesterday, the chancellor found an extra £2.2bn to increase defence spending, and of course, here in Scotland, that means more jobs and more opportunity.”

Lammy acknowledged Scotland’s historic contribution to UK defence and the Western world.

“It’s been wonderful today to see those jobs at work – 6,000 contributing to the next generation of frigates that will keep the West safe,” he said.

Lammy did not respond to questions about the relationship between increased defence spending and simultaneous welfare cuts and reforms, but he said he believes people understand that the UK has a broken welfare system.

“We want a welfare system that supports the most vulnerable – people that we know cannot work. But for those that can get back to work, we’ve got to support them to do that,” Lammy said.

In an era when the UK is increasing defence and security, Lammy said the Government wants people to get “good jobs”.

“What I’ve seen today is extraordinary jobs here in Scotland contributing to our security but also contributing to our economy. That’s what we want to see across the country,” he said.

“We all want people to live a purposeful life of value, and that is best done at work.”