Defence Jobs Scotland 2026-03-16
2026-03-16
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The question stems from an initiative to boost defence employment in Scotland, aiming to leverage the country's resources and expertise.
What steps he is taking to increase the number of defence jobs in Scotland. Last Thursday, I was proud to launch the Scotland defence growth deal, which will increase the number of defence jobs in Scotland, invest in skills and make it easier for businesses—particularly small and medium-sized enterprises—to do business in defence.
Last Thursday, I was proud to launch the Scotland defence growth deal, which will increase the number of defence jobs in Scotland, invest in skills and make it easier for businesses—particularly small and medium-sized enterprises—to do business in defence. Alongside our commitment to increasing naval shipbuilding in Scotland, this will increase the number of high-skilled, high-wage jobs, and make defence an engine for growth in Scotland.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
This question is in response to the announcement of a £50 million defence growth deal, aimed at increasing employment and economic activity in Scotland's defence sector.
I very much welcome last week's announcement of a £50 million defence growth deal for Scotland. It will make Scotland an engine for defence growth. Be it through building ships on the Clyde or new engineering and innovation facilities, it will create good, well-paid jobs for my West Dunbartonshire constituents and people right across Scotland, from the west coast to the east coast. Does the Minister agree that after two decades of SNP failure, it is time for a Scottish Labour Government who will actually back Scottish defence jobs?
I do indeed. It is noticeable that when the Scottish Government have had an opportunity to invest in defence skills, they have chosen not to. They chose not to when it came to the welding centre on the Clyde, but the Defence Secretary stepped in. Alongside the Secretary of State for Scotland, we have issued a challenge to the Scottish Government to match our commitment to creating two defence technical excellence colleges, one for the east coast and one for the west coast.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific agreement on supporting Scottish Labour government to back defence jobs was not directly confirmed beyond acknowledging a need for investment in skills and challenging the SNP's stance.
Under Review
Looking At This
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The question addresses a disparity between the original £50 million announced for Scotland's defence sector compared to what was actually allocated, raising concerns about fairness and additional funding requirements.
There was a pork-barrel stench when the first defence growth deal was awarded to the Minister's constituency. Over six months later, he has finally got around to making an award to Scotland, but for Scotland, the £50 million has turned into £20 million—and he wants the Scottish Government to foot the bill. Can he be clear with the House today about why, while there are no strings attached to the £50 million for the Welsh defence growth deal, there are strings attached to the Scottish defence growth deal, and does he expect the Scottish Government to top up the £20 million that he has allocated, so that it becomes the £50 million that every other area has got?
This is just the politics of grievance from the SNP. This Labour Government have allocated £50 million to support growth in Scotland, including £5 million for the Arrol Gibb campus in Rosyth and—[Interruption.]
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Assessment & feedback
The specifics about funding discrepancies and whether the Scottish government should top up the allocation were not directly addressed.
Politics Of Grievance
Not Addressing Specific Ask
Response accuracy