ANGER AT RAF KINLOSS JOBS ANNOUNCEMENT

ANGER AT RAF KINLOSS JOBS ANNOUNCEMENT

Moray MP Angus Robertson and MSP Richard Lochhead have demanded the UK Government retreat over the announcement 108 civilian staff are to lose their jobs at RAF Kinloss. Mr Robertson accused the Labour Government of running down the armed forces at a time when they were already overstretched.

Mr Robertson, the SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson, said:

“This is a body blow for the workforce and the Ministry of Defence must reverse this short-sighted and irresponsible decision. At a time when our forces are already overstretched and our communities under pressure the UK Government should be supporting these jobs and bases not running them down.

“The decision has clearly been taken without any proper consideration of the social and economic impact it will have on the local community, nor of the loss these skilled jobs will have on future operational needs.

“The UK government is already responsible for a £4.3 billion defence underspend in Scotland between 2002 and 2007, and more than 9,500 defence jobs have been lost in Scotland since Labour came to power. Our service personnel are devalued, our support industries decommissioned and our communities taken for granted by this Labour government.

“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.”

Moray MSP Richard Lochhead said:

“This is a slap in the face for the workforce and their families and crushing news for the wider community. At a time when our forces are more stretched than ever this is yet another attack on Scotland's defence community. The lie has been exposed of the Labour government’s support for defence in Scotland.”