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Scottish parties clash over BAE job cuts announcements 'No blackmail' over Govan and Scotstoun shipyard jobs
(35 minutes later)
Scotland's political leaders have clashed over the future of shipbuilding, the day after hundreds of workers were told they faced job cuts. Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael has denied "holding a gun to Scotland's head" over shipbuilding jobs.
Staff at BAE's shipyards, which include facilities on the Clyde, were told 1,800 of them are facing redundancy. Staff at BAE's shipyards, which include two facilities on the Clyde, were told on Wednesday that almost 1,800 of them were facing redundancy.
Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont told Holyrood Scottish independence would "threaten" jobs. Mr Carmichael has argued Scotland would find it "difficult" to win UK government shipbuilding contracts if the country votes for independence.
Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon accused her rival of trying to blackmail people into voting "No". The SNP had accused him of trying to blackmail Scots into voting "No".
The cuts are likely to affect about 800 jobs in Scotland, where shipyards are operated at Govan and Scotstoun, on the River Clyde in Glasgow, and Rosyth in Fife. The cuts are likely to affect about 800 jobs in the Govan and Scotstoun shipyards on the River Clyde in Glasgow, and at Rosyth in Fife.
The Clyde yards have been earmarked for building the Royal Navy's new Type 26 warships. However, shipbuilding is to end completely at BAE's yard at Portsmouth, with the loss of more than 900 jobs, while the Clyde yards have been earmarked for building the Royal Navy's new Type 26 warships.
UK Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said the designs would not be finalised until the end of next year, which would be after the Scottish independence referendum on 18 September. UK Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said the designs for the new ships would not be finalised until the end of next year, which would be after the Scottish independence referendum on 18 September.
And Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael has argued Scotland would find it "difficult" to win UK government shipbuilding contracts if the country voted for independence. Speaking after a visit to the Govan yard, Mr Carmichael told the BBC: "There is no question of anybody holding guns to anybody's head.
"What we have got here is a very positive situation. It is an illustration of the opportunities that exist for Scotland and Scotland's industries as part of the United Kingdom.
"It is for those who do not want Scotland to be part of the United Kingdom to explain how life will be for them."
The Scottish government has dismissed suggestions that a "Yes" vote would put future shipyard orders in doubt and said joint procurement of Type 26 vessels could be possible.The Scottish government has dismissed suggestions that a "Yes" vote would put future shipyard orders in doubt and said joint procurement of Type 26 vessels could be possible.
During question time at Holyrood, Ms Lamont said: "We currently have joint procurement - its called the United Kingdom. Joint procurement
Mr Carmichael was asked by BBC correspondent Laura Bicker why the remainder of the UK would be unable to work with an independent Scotland when it was already working alongside Australia on developing the Type 26 frigates.
He responded: "The question is where will a sovereign nation build its own warships? Their own warships are built within the borders of the country that commissions them.
"Of course there are opportunities for joint working, we know that. But the fact is that what we have got here is something that is certain.
"It doesn't depend on partnership with anybody else, and you are not looking at trying to renegotiate what you have just given away. Why would that make sense for anybody?"
Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont had earlier told Holyrood that Scottish independence would "threaten" jobs.
But Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon accused her rival of trying to blackmail people into voting "No".
During question time at Holyrood, Ms Lamont said: "We currently have joint procurement - it is called the United Kingdom.
"What the deputy first minister wants to do is break that up and then reinvent it and pretend there's not a difficulty.""What the deputy first minister wants to do is break that up and then reinvent it and pretend there's not a difficulty."
Ms Lamont added: "I don't doubt the personal commitment of the deputy first minister to the individuals within Govan shipyard, but her problem is her prospectus for Scotland threatens their jobs."Ms Lamont added: "I don't doubt the personal commitment of the deputy first minister to the individuals within Govan shipyard, but her problem is her prospectus for Scotland threatens their jobs."
Ms Sturgeon, who was standing in for First Minister Alex Salmond away in China, said the BAE cuts announcement meant the Clyde was now the only part of the UK where complex warships could be built. Ms Sturgeon, who was standing in for First Minister Alex Salmond while he is on a visit to China, said the BAE cuts announcement meant the Clyde was now the only part of the UK where complex warships could be built.
She told Ms Lamont: "This is a question about what happens after Scotland has democratically voted for independence and surely she is not going to threaten and bully and seek to blackmail Scottish shipyards." She told Ms Lamont: "This is a question about what happens after Scotland has democratically voted for independence, and surely she is not going to threaten and bully and seek to blackmail Scottish shipyards."
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said the Scottish government must support a drive for increased investment to upgrade the Clyde yards so they could cope with building the next generation of warships.
'Sovereign capability'
Without this, she said, the yards would not be able to compete in the global market place.
Meanwhile, former Conservative Defence Minister Sir Gerald Howarth told the BBC the issue was about European law.Meanwhile, former Conservative Defence Minister Sir Gerald Howarth told the BBC the issue was about European law.
He said: "Under article 346, national security determines that if we wish to maintain exclusivity in the United Kingdom in order to maintain our sovereign capability, then we can do so.He said: "Under article 346, national security determines that if we wish to maintain exclusivity in the United Kingdom in order to maintain our sovereign capability, then we can do so.
"If Scotland were no longer part of the United Kingdom, then Scotland would not enjoy that same privilege which they enjoy today."If Scotland were no longer part of the United Kingdom, then Scotland would not enjoy that same privilege which they enjoy today.
"Nor would the United Kingdom enjoy that same exemption.""Nor would the United Kingdom enjoy that same exemption."
The BAE announcement will result in most jobs going in Portsmouth, where shipbuilding will end altogether, while there will also be further losses in Filton, near Bristol.The BAE announcement will result in most jobs going in Portsmouth, where shipbuilding will end altogether, while there will also be further losses in Filton, near Bristol.
The firm said it would now begin consultation to cut 1,775 jobs "to result from these restructuring proposals".The firm said it would now begin consultation to cut 1,775 jobs "to result from these restructuring proposals".
Unions at Scotland's shipyards said they hoped many of the job losses would be found through voluntary redundancy.Unions at Scotland's shipyards said they hoped many of the job losses would be found through voluntary redundancy.