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Scottish independence: 'Yes' vote means loss of shipbuilding jobs, says Lamont Scottish independence: 'Yes' vote means loss of shipbuilding jobs, says Lamont
(about 1 hour later)
A vote for independence could lead to the loss of thousands of shipbuilding jobs, Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont has said.A vote for independence could lead to the loss of thousands of shipbuilding jobs, Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont has said.
Ms Lamont claimed a "Yes" vote would lead to the loss of UK defence contracts. Ms Lamont claimed it was "inconceivable" that UK defence contracts would be offered to Scotland if it left the UK.
It was "inconceivable" that defence contracts would be offered if Scotland left the UK, she added. SNP MP Angus Robertson said the Clyde was "the best place to build the new generation of naval ships".
The Scottish government has said an independent Scotland would still be able to bid for UK defence work. He added that thousands of jobs had gone under successive UK governments.
Ms Lamont met trade union representatives on the Clyde as her party launched a campaign focusing on the impact of independence on the shipbuilding industry, ahead of September's referendum on independence.Ms Lamont met trade union representatives on the Clyde as her party launched a campaign focusing on the impact of independence on the shipbuilding industry, ahead of September's referendum on independence.
"There is a danger that if we vote 'Yes' in September we won't have a shipbuilding industry any longer, because we're reliant on these defence contracts," she said."There is a danger that if we vote 'Yes' in September we won't have a shipbuilding industry any longer, because we're reliant on these defence contracts," she said.
"These jobs are at risk if we vote 'Yes', people need to understand that, but for the SNP clearly that's a price worth paying.""These jobs are at risk if we vote 'Yes', people need to understand that, but for the SNP clearly that's a price worth paying."
'Inconceivable' 'Inconceivable' contracts
Ms Lamont argued it was "inconceivable contracts for defence work will be let outside the United Kingdom" to an independent Scotland.Ms Lamont argued it was "inconceivable contracts for defence work will be let outside the United Kingdom" to an independent Scotland.
"I know from speaking to the workforce that they believe the only threat to Scotland securing these defence contracts and many years' work for our shipyards is a 'Yes' vote, and the expectation is that this work will be moved to England if we vote to leave the UK.""I know from speaking to the workforce that they believe the only threat to Scotland securing these defence contracts and many years' work for our shipyards is a 'Yes' vote, and the expectation is that this work will be moved to England if we vote to leave the UK."
Duncan McPhee, Unite union convener at the BAE Scotstoun yard on the Clyde, said the Ministry of Defence was the yard's main customer and it was earmarked to build the new type 26 combat ships for the Royal Navy.Duncan McPhee, Unite union convener at the BAE Scotstoun yard on the Clyde, said the Ministry of Defence was the yard's main customer and it was earmarked to build the new type 26 combat ships for the Royal Navy.
"The Ministry of Defence will not build a complex warship outside of the UK," he argued."The Ministry of Defence will not build a complex warship outside of the UK," he argued.
"Unless the Scottish government could replace that work, our industry would be decimated if Scotland became independent.""Unless the Scottish government could replace that work, our industry would be decimated if Scotland became independent."
'Highlights hypocrisy'
Earlier this month, union representatives from five firms asked for assurances on future investment from both the UK and Scottish governments.Earlier this month, union representatives from five firms asked for assurances on future investment from both the UK and Scottish governments.
In February, defence contractor BAE Systems said it was considering the closure of Govan shipyard in favour of an upgrade of facilities at its Scotstoun site.In February, defence contractor BAE Systems said it was considering the closure of Govan shipyard in favour of an upgrade of facilities at its Scotstoun site.
A Scottish government source said the Clyde was the "only place" for type 26 ships to be built, and argued that being part of the UK had not protected the Govan yard. 'Decimated' industry
The source added: "The UK government's apparent inability to secure the future of Govan highlights the hypocrisy of the UK government and the 'No' campaign. Mr Robertson, the SNP's defence spokesman at Westminster, said: "This is an industry that in the last 30 years has lost thousands of jobs and been decimated by Westminster government after Westminster government.
"The 'No' campaign said a 'Yes' vote threatened Govan, but the fact is that a plan for its closure is happening now - on Westminster's watch." "The Clyde has been, is now, and will in the future be the best place to build the new generation of naval ships, and that is coming direct from senior directors at BAE Systems.
"Recently, the head of the BAE type 26 programme, Geoff Searle, said that the company was only looking at a 'single site' solution to build the next generation of warships, and that all of their planning is 'based on the assumption that we will build at the revamped Scotstoun facility' on the Clyde - and that there is 'no plan B' for the build of type 26 elsewhere in the United Kingdom if there is a 'Yes' vote."
He added: "The UK track record on defence in Scotland is appalling, with a multi-billion-pound defence underspend and the loss of more than 11,000 jobs in the last decade.
"With a 'Yes' vote in September we can start to have a defence policy that meets the needs of Scotland."