CHANCELLOR SAYS MOD MUST PAY FOR TRIDENT

CHANCELLOR SAYS MOD MUST PAY FOR TRIDENT

TRIDENT BECOMES DEFENCE DANGER TO CONVENTIONAL FORCES

Confirmation from the Chancellor that the costs of replacing Trident
will come from the Ministry of Defence's core budget has been met with
concern by SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson Angus
Robertson MP, who warned that inclusion of Trident into the MoD core
budget changed the terms of the Strategic Defence and Security Review.

In an interview during his visit to India, Osborne is reported saying:
"The Trident costs, I have made it absolutely clear, are part of the
defence budget. All budgets have pressure. I don't think there's
anything particularly unique about the Ministry of Defence. I have
made it very clear that Trident renewal costs must be taken as part of
the defence budget."

Mr Robertson said:

“George Osborne’s announcement fundamentally changes the context of
the strategic defence review which began on the assumption that the
cost of Trident would be met centrally by the Treasury.

“From being a deterrence during the Cold War, Trident has itself now
become one of the biggest defence risks we face with the cost of
replacement threatening the future of conventional forces and bases.

“Absorbing Trident into the core defence budget is unsustainable and
would have a devastating impact for spending on conventional forces,
which are already overstretched. The implications of this decision
could not be more serious.

“The strategic review is about choices for the future and prioritising
our defence needs in a changed world. Conventional forces, which have
already been cut back, should not be forced to compete with Trident
for resources.

“Anyway that you look at it; on moral, economic or political grounds,
renewal of these weapons of mass destruction is untenable.

“The SNP believe it should be scrapped and more so, at a time when
public spending faces savage cuts across the board, the time has come
to accept that Trident can no longer be treated as some sacred cow.
The majority of Scots oppose Trident along with the Scottish
Parliament and civil society. In these financially difficult times why
should Scots pay for the London parties' obsession with weapons of
mass destruction?”