SNP CONDEMN PLANNED LABOUR DEFENCE CUTS

SNP CONDEMN PLANNED LABOUR DEFENCE CUTS

Reports that the UK Government are planning huge cuts in RAF manpower, aircraft and bases, have been condemned by SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP.

The Sunday Times reports that the MoD is preparing to cut 10,000 RAF staff — a quarter of their manpower — and close up to five large air stations, in a move that could seriously diminish operational capabilities.

Mr Robertson, whose Moray constituency contains two major bases at Lossiemouth and Kinloss, said:

“Reports that huge cuts are being planned are deeply alarming, not least because our forces already feel overstretched and under resourced. These cuts would seriously diminish operational capabilities.

“The fact is that the UK government is already responsible for a £4.3 billion defence underspend in Scotland between 2002 and 2007, and 9,500 defence jobs have been lost in Scotland since Labour came to power.

“Downing Street keep making the wrong choices on cuts – whether it’s cutting vital manpower, aircraft and bases while blowing billions on a new generation of Trident nuclear weapons. These are the wrong choices and underline just how out of touch Labour is.

“Gordon Brown was forced to about-turn on half-baked cuts to the Territorial Army, and now he must retreat on these cuts to the RAF.”