SNP Welcome Aircraft Carrier Announcement

Speaking today (Wednesday) after the statement in the House of Commons that the orders for the new aircraft carriers were given the go-ahead, SNP Westminster Leader and Defence Spokesperson Angus Robertson welcomed the long awaited announcement.

Last week Angus Robertson and local MSP Nicola Sturgeon visited the BAE shipyard in Govan where modules of the new carriers will be built. There they discussed the issues facing the yard and the industry as a whole.

Angus Robertson said:

"I warmly welcome this long-overdue announcement. Sadly since Labour came to power at Westminster in 1997 there has been a significant decline in shipbuilding jobs in Scotland.  For an industry that has been decimated by job cuts it will come as a great relief to those who have been worried about their futures.

"This order reflects the professionalism and commitment of the workforce and the excellent standard of their workmanship.  It has also withstood stringent tests to ensure good value for tax payer's money at a time of opening in the European defence market.

"Last week Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon who represents Govan in the Scottish Parliament and I were tremendously impressed during our visit to the BAE shipyard in Govan."

Nicola Sturgeon, MSP for Govan added,

"This is great news for Govan, and great news for the people employed at the yard. The yard has a bright future and this order goes a long way to confirming that shipbuilding will continue on the Clyde.

"It is a testament to the hard work and skills of the workers at BAE that this contract has been won and provides a secure base for building a successful future."

ENDS