Snp accused of 'student union politics' over shipbuilding training centre snub

SNP MINISTERS REFUSE TO ALLOW PUBLIC MONEY TO BE SPENT ON ANYTHING THEY CLASS AS "MUNITIONS" - DESPITE THE DEFENCE INDUSTRY BEING A MAJOR EMPLOYER NORTH OF THE BORDER. 11:34, 01

Jun 2025Updated 15:32, 01 Jun 2025 The SNP Government has been accused of "student union politics" after it refused to invest in a specialist skills centre to train the next

generation of Scottish shipbuilders. Scottish Enterprise, a taxpayer-funded quango, refused to hand over £2.5m to help open a world-class welding college on the banks of the Clyde. The snub

was caused by a longstanding Nationalist policy of refusing to allow public money to be spent on anything it classes as "munitions". The UK Government today announced it would

instead make up the funding shortfall if SNP ministers continue to refuse to back the scheme, which is supported by British aerospace giant Rolls-Royce. John Healey, the UK Defence

Secretary, accused John Swinney's Government of engaging in "student union politics". "We have a long-term partnership with Rolls-Royce, they are central to the most

important military equipment that keeps us all safe," the Labour minister said. Article continues below "Rolls-Royce want to set-up a new welding skills centre. This isn't

just to support their munitions business, this is about supporting Scotland's shipyard pipeline and new opportunities for young people. "I can hardly believe it's the case

that the Scottish Nationalist Government are saying they won't step to provide some of the funding to make sure this new welding skills centre can get up and running. READ MORE:

Scottish independence support surges over fears Nigel Farage could be next Prime MinisterREAD MORE: Swinney plans political stunt at charity which had funding cut by SNP government "If

the Scottish Government won't step up to support skills and the future of jobs in Scotland, we will." Healey continued: "It really strikes me as student union politics. This

is not a serious Government concerned about the opportunities for young people, or concerned about the skills base of Scotland. "Scotland has a big part to play in both strengthening

the British industrial base, as we will through more defence investment, and reinforcing the security and strength of our armed forces." The welding centre is a joint project promoted

by Strathclyde University and the Malin Group, specialists in marine engineering. It forms a key part of the long-planned Scottish Marine Technology Park at Old Kilpatrick in West

Dunbartonshire. Rolls-Royce is ready to support the skills centre with the donation of specialist equipment worth £11m. The company has since written to John Swinney to share its

"dismay" the project had been classified as a "munitions" scheme solely on the basis that it would "support the construction of naval vessels". Naval

shipbuilding remains Glasgow's largest manufacturing sector. Defence giant BAE Systems, which operates two shipyards at Govan and Scotstoun, has struggled in recent years to hire the

number of skilled workers it requires. Healey added: "This is a massive industrial opportunity for Scotland, to provide good, skilled jobs for working class kids. It’s outrageous the

SNP is blocking a key grant to establish a specialist welding centre in Glasgow." Asked why funding was blocked for the scheme, SNP minister Mairi Gougeon said: "The project

wasn't eligible for funding, because of the long-standing policy position that we don't provide support for the manufacture of munitions. "The key difference between ourselves

and the UK Government is that when we have principles, we stick to them." It comes as Keir Starmer prepares to arrive in Scotland on Monday to announce the UK's long-awaited

strategic defence review. A spokesman for Scottish Enterprise said: “We were approached about a defence related project. The Scottish government and its agencies do not support the

manufacture of munitions. Article continues below “While no formal application for support has been received for this project, during discussions we indicated funding could only be

considered if the project aligned with Scottish government guidelines on the manufacture of munitions.” TO SIGN UP TO THE DAILY RECORD POLITICS NEWSLETTER, CLICK HERE