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The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
There is an alternative to massive defence spending
The SDR implies that bolstering the UK's nuclear capabilities will bring job growth and prosperity to Scotland, including through investment at Faslane. Yet history tells us otherwise. Defence jobs are precarious, vulnerable to political shifts and budgetary overruns. The delayed Astute-class submarine fleet is a case in point: its costs rose from £4.3bn to over £11bn. Analysis for the Scottish Government showed military spending has one of the lowest employment multipliers of any public investment. For every pound spent, sectors like care, education and renewable energy produce far more and better-quality employment. At the same time, excess government defence spending comes at the cost of other these other socially necessary jobs. There are also ongoing safety issues and radioactive air emissions at Coulport, located 8 miles from Faslane, continue to rise. But this militarised approach has even wider environmental impacts. The climate, pollution, resource and biodiversity impacts of defence production and military activity is ignored in the SDR and NATO approaches. A 2020 report by Scientists for Global Responsibility and Declassified UK found that the UK military-industrial sector emits more carbon than 60 entire countries. The Ministry of Defence has acknowledged its carbon footprint but proposed solutions – such as biofuels or nuclear – offer limited gains and potentially new environmental harms. While the world grapples with rising temperatures, investing billions into weapons systems that drive emissions is not only short-sighted – it is dangerous. There is no evidence that increasing military spending reduces the likelihood of conflict. In fact, a review on this question indicates that greater defence spending tends to increase the likelihood of conflict. The authors conclude, where tensions already exist, 'arms are not an effective deterrent but rather spark conflict escalation'. The UK already spends more on defence than almost every other country in the world. Just the US and four other countries exceed our amount of spending. More defence spending will not make us any more secure and will, likely, increase our vulnerability to attack. Read more The Alternative Defence Review argues for a fundamentally different approach, based on two key principles: human security and common security. Human security means protecting people from poverty, illness, climate disasters, and systemic inequality and ensuring decent housing, education and infrastructure. Clean air, good jobs, reliable transport, and mental health services are all foundational to a safe society. Common security, meanwhile, recognises that no nation can truly be safe while others suffer. Security cannot come at someone else's expense. Cutting the aid budget, disability benefits and publics services in order to increase defence spending will bring about misery, deaths and social instability. We are repeating the same mistakes that brought us to the current crisis – with climate breakdown, the cost of living, and public service collapse threatening the fabric of society. Students at the University of Glasgow have called for divestment from arms-linked investments and continue to campaign for ethical funding in higher education. Their efforts reflect growing public concern that Scottish public funds are quietly underwriting militarism. Amnesty International recently accused the Scottish Government of 'turning a blind eye' to the role of state support in enabling arms manufacturers to export to Israel – despite calls for an arms embargo amid the Gaza conflict. Freedom of Information requests revealed that Scottish Enterprise had provided hundreds of thousands of pounds to defence firms with known export licences to Israel, including Leonardo, BAE Systems and Raytheon. Though the Government insists this support is for training or innovation – not weapons manufacturing – critics point out that it remains part of the same supply chain. Students, Amnesty and peace campaigners are demanding consistency between Scotland's values and where its money flows. The overseas aid budget was cut to help finance increased defence spending (Image: PA) The ADR envisions a Just Transition for defence workers and communities who currently depend on defence contracts. By shifting investment into housing retrofits, green innovation, renewable energy, care services, infrastructure and climate resilience, we can build real security – social, economic and environmental – while creating more jobs than defence ever could. Scotland has the resources, skills and research capacity to lead on this. But it must choose to do so, rather than continuing to echo outdated UK defence strategies. The Strategic Defence Review expects Scotland to fall in line with a broken model – spiralling procurement costs, misaligned values, and a reliance on militarised spending as a tool of economic policy. In contrast, the Alternative Defence Review charts a different course: one rooted in peace, sustainability, and the real needs of communities. As we face the converging crises of climate breakdown, deepening inequality, and global insecurity, our responses must reflect the scale and nature of these threats. By reading, debating, and implementing the ADR, Scotland has the opportunity to lead the UK in building a new kind of security – one that truly serves its people. Karen Bell is Professor of Social and Environmental Justice, University of Glasgow
STV News
4 days ago
- Politics
- STV News
Scottish cities host events to mark Armed Forces Day
Events are taking place in three Scottish cities on Saturday to mark Armed Forces Day. Scotland Secretary Ian Murray said he was looking forward to 'the whole country uniting' to show support for service personnel and their families. In Edinburgh, a parade led by The Highland and Lowland Bands of The Royal Regiment of Scotland will proceed along George Street, with a saluting dais at the Assembly Rooms before finishing in St Andrew's Square. Glasgow will host a family-friendly event at the City of Glasgow College Riverside Campus – with information stands, activities and entertainment from the West of Scotland Military Wives' Choir. Meanwhile in Aberdeen, serving personnel, veterans and cadets will parade through the city centre, with the city's Lord Provost taking the salute on Broad Street. Nearly 200 Armed Forces Day events are set to take place across the UK on Saturday, with this year's national event being hosted by Cleethorpes in Lincolnshire. Speaking ahead of the events, Mr Murray said: 'I'm immensely proud of all our Scots servicemen and women and I'd like to thank them for the extraordinary work they do to keep us safe all day, every day in the UK and around the world. 'National security is a UK Government priority and we will always stand up for our military. 'I look forward to the whole country uniting for today's Armed Forces Day to show our support for currently serving troops, service families, veterans and cadets.' Scotland is home to a number of of the UK's key military assets, including equipment, installations, and thousands of sailors, soldiers, marines and aviators. The entirety of the Submarine Service is based at His Majesty's Naval Base Clyde at Faslane, including the UK's continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent, and the new Astute-class hunter-killer submarines. Meanwhile, RAF Lossiemouth in Moray is one of two RAF quick reaction alert stations responsible for protecting UK airspace, and also home to a fleet of maritime patrol aircraft. Scotland is also home to a number of British Army regiments, including the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards at Leuchars Station, the 39 Engineer Regiment at Kinloss Barracks, and The Royal Regiment of Scotland at Fort George. UK Defence Secretary John Healey said Armed Forces Day was an opportunity to 'thank our armed forces' for their service. 'This is the day we celebrate all they do – in ordinary and extraordinary ways – to make Britain secure at home, and strong abroad,' he added. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Age
22-06-2025
- Business
- The Age
Cook heads for UK to bolster AUKUS deal and build more nuclear submarines in WA
West Australian Premier Roger Cook has announced a defence mission to the UK in a bid to bolster the precarious AUKUS agreement and lobby for more nuclear-powered submarines to be built in WA. The partnership between Australia, the UK and US has been in limbo since President Donald Trump took office and said he plans to review it. Since the inception of AUKUS in 2021, all three leaders at the time – Scott Morrison, Boris Johnson and Joe Biden – have either lost elections or left politics. Despite this, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his UK counterpart Keir Starmer remain in favour of the deal. The state government says defence is set to become WA's second-largest industry after mining – surpassing agriculture – and lobbying for UK Astute-class submarines to be built in WA will be a major focus of five-day talks. 'The defence industry is critical to our plans to diversify our economy, and that's why this trip to strengthen AUKUS ties and unlock opportunities for local businesses is so important,' he said. Loading 'We are working to make more things right here in WA, attract more international investment, and make our State one of the best in the world to do business.' Defence Industries Minister Paul Papalia will join Cook on the mission, after he travelled to the US for similar talks in April where he said WA was also on the cusp of entering America's Virginia-class submarine manufacturing industry. 'From submarines to frigates, defence is Made in WA, and our local businesses are strongly positioned to support the construction and sustainment of Astute-class submarines,' he said.
Sydney Morning Herald
22-06-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Cook heads for UK to bolster AUKUS deal and build more nuclear submarines in WA
West Australian Premier Roger Cook has announced a defence mission to the UK in a bid to bolster the precarious AUKUS agreement and lobby for more nuclear-powered submarines to be built in WA. The partnership between Australia, the UK and US has been in limbo since President Donald Trump took office and said he plans to review it. Since the inception of AUKUS in 2021, all three leaders at the time – Scott Morrison, Boris Johnson and Joe Biden – have either lost elections or left politics. Despite this, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his UK counterpart Keir Starmer remain in favour of the deal. The state government says defence is set to become WA's second-largest industry after mining – surpassing agriculture – and lobbying for UK Astute-class submarines to be built in WA will be a major focus of five-day talks. 'The defence industry is critical to our plans to diversify our economy, and that's why this trip to strengthen AUKUS ties and unlock opportunities for local businesses is so important,' he said. Loading 'We are working to make more things right here in WA, attract more international investment, and make our State one of the best in the world to do business.' Defence Industries Minister Paul Papalia will join Cook on the mission, after he travelled to the US for similar talks in April where he said WA was also on the cusp of entering America's Virginia-class submarine manufacturing industry. 'From submarines to frigates, defence is Made in WA, and our local businesses are strongly positioned to support the construction and sustainment of Astute-class submarines,' he said.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The UK is going heavy on attack submarines, with plans to build 12 new ones
The Royal Navy is building 12 new SSN-AUKUS attack submarines. They're set to replace the UK's Astute-class attack submarines by the 2030s. It comes as part of the UK government's bid to boost its armed forces amid rising global threats. The UK plans to build 12 new attack submarines as part of sweeping plans to boost the country's military. The Ministry of Defence said Sunday that the SSN-AUKUS vessels would be built as part of the UK's Strategic Review to enhance its military strength amid rising global threats. They'll be deployed as part of the AUKUS alliance between the UK, Australia, and the US, with the submarines having been developed alongside the Australian navy. "Our outstanding submariners patrol 24/7 to keep us and our allies safe, but we know that threats are increasing and we must act decisively to face down Russian aggression," UK Defence Secretary John Healey said. He added: "With new state-of-the-art submarines patrolling international waters and our own nuclear warhead programme on British shores, we are making Britain secure at home and strong abroad, while delivering on our Plan for Change with 30,000 highly-skilled jobs across the country." The submarines are set to replace the UK's current fleet of seven Astute-class attack submarines by the 2030s. The Astute class submarines are nuclear-powered and carry Tomahawk Land Attack Cruise Missiles (TLAM) and Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes, the UK government said. The Naval Lookout analysis website described the new submarines as an "apex naval predator." "In preparing for potential conflict with other states, SSNs are arguably the most important conventional assets the UK can deploy," it said, adding that they can be used to take out enemy vessels, create blockades, land special forces operatives, and gather intelligence. But Matthew Savill, director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute, told journalists that questions remain over how the target of building 12 submarines would be met on schedule. "There is going to have to be a pretty major culture change within the forces, within the MOD and their relationship with industry to make that more viable," he said. "I would be fascinated to know how they're going to do that because the record is not great up until now," he added. The UK government has pledged to boost defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027. Under the plans outlined in its latest Strategic Defence Review, released this week, it will also provide the equivalent of $20 billion in extra funding for the UK's nuclear weapons program. Read the original article on Business Insider
