UK DEFENCE UNDERSPEND MUSHROOMS IN SCOTLAND AHEAD OF CUTS

UK DEFENCE UNDERSPEND MUSHROOMS IN SCOTLAND AHEAD OF CUTS

SNP CALLS FOR SDR TO CONSIDER DEFENCE SPENDING ACROSS THE UK

The Scottish National Party (SNP) is highlighting UK Ministry of Defence Statistics which shows the defence underspend in Scotland has topped over £5.6 billion in recent years.

As MPs prepare for a House of Commons debate on the Strategic Defence Review tomorrow (Monday) the SNP is calling for the SDR to consider a fair defence footprint across the UK.

Fears are being raised that forthcoming defence cuts could lead to a massive base closure program and slashing of manpower. With just over 11,000 service personnel based in Scotland there are currently less military personnel pro-rata than serve in the armed forces of the Irish Republic.

Westminster SNP Leader and Defence spokesman Angus Robertson MP said:

“Scotland has been seriously hit in recent years with over 10,000 defence job losses, base closures, unit amalgamations and a massive defence underspend. We should not be hit by a double whammy from Whitehall that would be disproportionate and unfair. The SDR must consider how military cutbacks will impact on the nations and regions of the UK.

According to Ministry of Defence statistics from the most recent years where figures are available:

•       The defence underspend in Scotland has increased massively, mushrooming from  £749m in 2002-03 to £1259m in 2007-2008, which represents a 68% increase in 6 years.
•       Between 2002-2008 the underspend in Scotland has totalled a mammoth £5.622bn
•       The largest underspend recorded in a single year was a staggering £1.259bn for 2007-2008
•       Between 2005-2008 there has been a drastic real terms decline year on year in the defence spending in Scotland – in total Labour slashed defence spending by a huge £150m in these years.
•       £50m less was spent on defence in Scotland in 2007-08 than in 2006-07 – representing a 3% decrease.

Speaking about the MOD statistics Angus Robertson MP said:

“These figures reveal a mammoth defence underspend in Scotland, just as the MOD embarks on a strategic review that is certain to bring even more pain.

“The scale of the underspend is striking and totally unacceptable. Scottish taxpayers are disproportionally contributing huge sums towards the Ministry of Defence, at the same time as the conventional military footprint in Scotland is disappearing at an unprecedented rate.

“The UK government must consider the impact of defence spending cuts across the UK.