EXCLUSIVE – The Scottish Government has again failed to send a minister, at any level, to the steel cutting ceremony for a new Royal Navy frigate being built in Scotland.
The most recent missed attendance was the ceremony for HMS Formidable at Rosyth in October 2024.
The event marked a significant milestone in the construction of Type 31 frigates, a programme that is part of the UK’s naval renewal and provides pretty big economic benefits to Scotland’s shipbuilding industry. Invitations were sent to both the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, but according to a Freedom of Information response, “due to staff illness, there was a delay in processing the invitations, which unfortunately resulted in no Scottish Government representation at the event.”
Emails seen by the UK Defence Journal reveal the Scottish Government’s internal reflections on the situation. In one exchange, an official expressed regret over the lack of representation, explaining that the issue stemmed from personal circumstances and a breakdown in internal communication.
“I hope you are well and the steel cut went well. A quick note regarding lack of SG representation at the event – there was a breakdown in communication (me!) internally when this invite was processed. I’ve been off for the last few weeks with [REDACTED], and so the ministers’ offices were chasing the invite but there was no one further down the chain to pick up in my absence. So please accept my own apologies for that. I had been looking forward to it (had very much enjoyed the same event for ACTIVE a couple of years ago).”
The email also indicated efforts to address the oversight, adding, “The DFM wants to send an apology letter for non-attendance – who should this be addressed to?” This response does highlight the internal challenges faced by the Scottish Government and it also shows their recognition of the significance of the missed event.
Despite these challenges, the absence has reignited criticism of the government’s engagement with major defence events.
Repeated missed events
This absence follows a pattern of missed representation at key shipbuilding milestones. Ministers were also absent from the steel-cutting ceremony for HMS Birmingham at BAE Systems’ Govan yard, part of the £4.2 billion Type 26 frigate programme. Freedom of Information documents show that former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and then-Finance Secretary Kate Forbes were invited but declined due to “other commitments.” A government official confirmed the decision just one day before the event, writing, “Unfortunately, due to pre-existing commitments, the Cabinet Secretary is unable to attend. However, he has asked me to pass on his best wishes for a successful event.”
Further emails from the HMS Birmingham event highlight the government’s reliance on officials rather than ministers to represent them at such milestones. Two officials from the Manufacturing and Industries Division attended the ceremony on the government’s behalf.
One email confirmed that the First Minister and Finance Secretary were prioritising other matters, and no alternative arrangements were made for ministerial representation.
The non-attendance at these events reflects what critics describe as a broader pattern of minimal ministerial engagement with Scotland’s shipbuilding industry. While government officials have occasionally represented Scotland at such events, ministers have rarely been present at ceremonies celebrating the country’s contributions to UK naval projects.
‘We just want some recognition’
An industry insider expressed disappointment, saying, “It’s really disappointing not to see senior government figures at these key milestones. Events like these are an opportunity to celebrate the incredible work being done in Scotland’s shipyards, not just for the Royal Navy but for the country’s reputation as a leader in shipbuilding. When ministers don’t show up, it sends the wrong message to the industry and to the thousands of workers who contribute to these projects. It makes you wonder if they truly value the role this sector plays in the economy and in supporting communities. We’re not asking for much—just a recognition of the hard work and commitment that goes into building these vessels and sustaining Scotland’s place on the world stage.”
The HMS Formidable event also highlights a stark contrast between the approaches of the Scottish and UK Governments. While the UK Government has consistently sent senior representatives, such as Defence Procurement Ministers or even the Defence Secretary and Scottish Secretary, to attend these ceremonies, the Scottish Government’s attendance has often been limited to officials. Previous Defence Procurement Minister Alex Chalk had described the HMS Birmingham milestone as a “significant achievement for the Type 26 programme” and praised the contributions of Scottish workers.
Emails seen by the UK Defence Journal also suggest organisers were eager to accommodate the Scottish Government. A Babcock International representative noted, “There will be more events to come, and you are more than welcome to attend those – we will make sure that your name and the relevant Minister are on the list.”
This statement has raised questions about whether the government will take steps to improve its engagement with future milestones.
Speculation has arisen over whether political considerations have influenced the government’s lack of participation in these events. The £4.2 billion Type 26 programme represents a significant UK Government investment in Scotland, but some opposition politicians have claimed the Scottish Government is hesitant to engage with projects funded primarily by Westminster.
However, internal correspondence points to logistical issues, including scheduling conflicts and administrative delays, as the primary reasons for these missed opportunities.
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When did still cutting become an apparent big deal? We always had officials at launches but I’m hard pressed to figure out when steel cutting became a big deal especially when it’s not a first in class.
The SNP don’t give a s**t about anything in Fife and only marginally more about anything in Glasgow and your more likely to find them outside the gates of BAE shipyards protesting over Palestine than inside celebrating industrial jobs for predominantly white working class men that don’t fit into the parties vision of itself.
Some ceremony had to take over from keel laying because warships don’t have keels anymore. There was an attempt to call the first assembly of modules keel laying, but it didn’t seem to gain traction and we are marking first steel cut instead. At the other end of the build we don’t mark float off in the same way as we used to do launch and it’s a separate naming ceremony that gets the champagne treatment (the “champagne” being whisky for modern Scottish builds).
Times change.
A valid comment ruined by some stupid and ill-considered political linkage and rumour based point scoring exercise. The last part and unfounded inuendo of the second paragraph adds to this!
Nah the 2nd part is pretty much on point to be fair
😀
On what basis? None of which in the sentence are any more true than for any other party.
Have you been to an SNP conference or a Glasgow shipyard recently, I have been to both and my comments are based on that experience.
Yes. What experience? How many thousand different issues are there for any politician and supporter or opponent to jump down their throats over? Exagerrated opinion or wishful thinking is not the same as reality. How many frigates have been constructed or launched since the project was started? It is not new news anymore. In any case the ships are being built for the UK Government Ministry of Defence which has nothing to do with devolved responsibilities. So why should they attend?
Nick, you appear to be a very rude person. You also don’t seem to respect other people’s belief. There appears to be one troll on this thread – you.
Not rude at all. Beliefs are valid provided they are backed up by actual facts. Wishful thinking does mean something is necessarily right. Challenging false beliefs and correcting misinformation is not trolling, and in fact countering trolling! The easiest way of telling if someone is trolling is if they are unable to substantiate or produce a valid argument and instead revert to diversionary assumptions and accusations. There is nothing wrong with holding alternative opinions but if those opinions are founded on misinformation or incorrect understanding, especially a bald assertion with no supporting data then they need to be corrected. The unfortunate usual recourse to an someone pointing out an error or incorrect statement if it undermines or refutes that erroneous statement against the persons wishes or belief is to slag them off with some out of context similarly unsupported negation. Instead of going round promoting rumours and incorrect points it is better to consider responses and alternative views. If one is unsupported by fact or historical correction then that belief has to be challenged. An inability to accept correction is unhelpful and leads to disjointed and polarised misunderstandings.
Except you are going overboard. Furthermore, you are making unwarranted comments. The SNP comments over the years are not rumours. Then you come out with things like ‘In any case the ships are being built for the UK Government Ministry of Defence which has nothing to do with devolved responsibilities.’ So all those moans in the past were… what? From that comment, why should SNP ministers complain (erroneously) in the past that ships weren’t being built. According to you, it was none of their business! The facts are that in the past SNP Ministers complained about about no RN ships being built in Scotland when they were, and now that their lies/misinformation was exposed seem to want to just hide from the subject by not attending events associated with it. And then having their apologists say why should they attend!
I think you still don’t understand even recent history. At the time the comment was made it was true. No frigates were being made, and the numbers vaguely promised continually changed and also with the possibility they wouldn’t be built – at that time! Since the comment, correct at the time, things have changed so yes frigates are being built. NO politician is now stating that they are not being made. That is the point and to ascribe some out of date comment as though it is the current statement is facile and stupid. This response in itself is nothing to do with political views but merely pointing out the folly and brainwashed assumption that some ancient (though then correct) comment remains true for evermore. The trouble is that you have fallen for some misinfornation without considering the context or even the current up todate position.
Do we have a reputation as a leader in ship building? I’m sure that’s not the case.
certainly not in the rate of production, it’s an embarrassment to British industry ability to deliver on contracts.
Just like the US.
We are one of few country’s to be able to build every single ship or boat we need from small craft up to carriers and nuclear subs so we are pretty much a big deal
Particularly the the level of sovereign tech that we can deploy.
Exactly we are many thing and yes our military is decreasing at a rate of knots but we can and do still build world class ships and subs
I went to the maritime museum in Dubrovnik last year and on the walls were dozens of paintings of great ships built for Croatia, nearly all of which were built in the UK. Now we build barely anything and definitely not for foreign customers.
These days most countries looking to build warships want to build them domestically for their own growth and local supply agendas. Both the T26 and T31 have won overseas orders with considerable UK content even if the ships are being built in the client countries.
Cheers CR
Hmme buuuuut T26 is in with a shout of being built in UK for export to Norway.
I’d not be too suprised if a varietal of T31 doesn’t also export.
Agreed, but conventional export orders of high end warships are usual for the reasons I give, but obviously not entirely unknown. The point I was making was that even if the ships are built under license overseas there is still a lot of UK content making it well worth the effort to win license builds overseas.
Even a heavily modified version of a UK frigate would require significant design team support – helping to keep design teams busy.
Fingers crossed for the Norwegian order.
Cheers CR
Mmmm, The Croatian Navy has existed from 1991, before that it was the Yugoslav Navy, the Austro-Hungarian Navy-Austrian Navy 1797-1918, before the Austrians were the Ottomans and even the navy of the Venetian Republic.
So it is possible that the paintings you saw was for ships if in the age of sail were of the Ottoman Empire, or ships in early days of steam/pre 1914 possibly for the Greeks. As this was the period of the first and second Balken wars and the break up of the Ottoman Empire. Ships of the KuK were built mostly in Pola and Trieste with the armour, steel and weapons from Skoda. Strangly enough Skoda also produced some of the armour for the KGV battleships.
Amazing! Just how childish are the SNP? You would think they would welcome the opportunity to celebrate manufacturing in Rosyth? I guess they are still sensitive regarding the Ferguson ferries fiasco. Perhaps their coping skills at seeing successful delivery of a shipbuilding contract are too overwhelming for them. If the SNP don’t want or support shipbuilding in Scotland why not relocate to Tyneside or Birkenhead or Devonport and invest in an area that appraises the investment & support
Building frigates in Scotland is hardly new. We started building them some time ago, and now the process is old-hat. Keep up with the times.
Oh u could bet your left leg if it was a wind turbine propeller factory the SNP would be all over it
On what basis? Your statement is no moare than biased wishful thinking. We already have wind turbine manufacturing in Scotland anyway. If it isn’t some new initiative then why should Ministers show up for something that has been ongoing for a long time? And if it was so fantastic don’t you think that Defence Minister and similar would be up here crowing about it!
On the basis even a very small internet search shows snp lot in multiple factory’s in high viz vests all over the place yet funnily enough since a certain Scottish newspaper reported on a Labour mp visiting BAE ship yard in the past and brow beating them over it and they haven’t visited the ship yard since
This is a UK Westminster MoD contract and project. I suggest you think about the research you have undertaken, the context and the relevance.
Why would any fully functioning adult remotely care about this?
Referring to those who care about Scotland’s shipbuilding industry and its workforce in such a dismissive way is unnecessary and frankly disrespectful. Thousands of people rely on this sector for their livelihoods, and events like these are important to recognise their contributions and celebrate Scotland’s industrial achievements. Criticism is fine, but language like this does nothing to further the discussion or show respect for those involved.
Exactly. Clickbait for the politically motivated conspiracy theorists, diverting attention away from more important things.
What a you expect from a left wing SNP government who would rather leave Scotland defenceless and scrap our nuclear umbrella.
Difficult to deny frigate building is occurring if you attend the steel-cutting ceremony.
That’s the main reason I suspect. Even the nats couldn’t maintain that lie any longer if there were photos of Sturgeon standing in front of a T26 in build.
Why? What lie? They weren’t, and now they are. Nicola Sturgeon hasn’t been involved for some time now, perhaps you weren’t aware?
Who denies they are being built? A long time ago there weren’t, now they are. Or have you just woken up? Everybody knows we are building frigates – until they are all built and then there aren’t!
government?so they all have a campervan?
id sooner know the progress of the ships in build. and why is venturer not launched?
What is so special? Why should a Minister attend the initial preparation of yet another warship? Do they attend every other build commencements? Do they not possibly have more important things to spend their time on? It seems a report generated merely to create headlines.
Are u one of these everything the snp is ok types ?
Where does that come from? All ministers and administration have the same faults. If it was that new and amazing don’t you think that Westminster politicians would be up and down here everytime a new bit of steel were cut or ‘keel laid down’? Don’t ascribe general shortcomings to anyone in particular. Biased mis-comments do not do anyone any good and improve nothing.
“If it was that new and amazing don’t you think that Westminster politicians would be up and down here everytime a new bit of steel were cut or ‘keel laid down’?”, they are.
And which bit of defence is a devolved responsibility? The devolved administrations get slagged off by Westminster if they are seen to be ‘interfering’ in reserved matters. Who owns the build contracts?
Nick, your response misses the mark on several levels. Let me break it down for you:
Firstly, no one is arguing that defence itself is a devolved responsibility—that’s clear. But shipbuilding isn’t just about defence policy; it’s about jobs, skills, and the economic impact on communities in Scotland. These are areas where the Scottish Government has a direct stake. When a shipbuilding milestone like a steel cut or keel laying happens, it’s a celebration of the workers, the shipyard, and the economic contributions of the industry—matters well within the remit of the Scottish Government to support.
Secondly, the claim that the devolved administration might be ‘slagged off’ by Westminster for attending is baseless. Westminster politicians regularly attend events like these because they understand their importance, and there’s no evidence to suggest that the Scottish Government would be criticised for doing the same. In fact, past attendance by Scottish Government representatives disproves this entirely.
Thirdly, regarding ‘who owns the build contracts,’ it’s the Ministry of Defence commissioning the vessels, but the ships are being built in Scottish yards by Scottish workers. The ownership of the contract doesn’t negate the significance of the industry to Scotland or the responsibility of the Scottish Government to show up, celebrate, and support it. Representation at these events sends a message of pride and solidarity to the workforce and ensures that Scotland’s contributions to national defence are recognised.
The issue here isn’t about who signs the cheques or sets the defence budget—it’s about showing up for an industry that is critical to Scotland’s economy and global reputation. If Westminster politicians can recognise the importance of these events, why can’t the Scottish Government do the same?
Largely you make legitimate points. The problem is the way they have been presented. You forget that frequently all the devolved (not just Scotland) ministers are specifically excluded from UK affairs, for several reasons, mostly to avoid legitimising their interests. In any event this was only yet another build for a contract that started some time ago forming a production line. As such its importance is less so. I agree that it would have been nice to see a local MSP attend but ultimately what would be the point – another ministerial jolly? Ministers only tend to go to these functions if they can be seen to be getting some benefit for their party interests and at the same time put others in their place!
I agree.
At least there are two modern ship yards producing high quality ships that foreign buyers are interested in. That if itself is a big turn around.
That means the design skills are up to the mark and the production techniques and workforce skills and capabilities are also recovered for the future.
Without this Scottish ship building would be dead as Fergusons [sorry had to spoil the party] would have run out of structural work.
Westminster is not the same as the Scottish council sorry Parliament it’s not remotely the same thing a better example would be let’s say a large employer in a MPs district was starting a large project and the mp comes to see it off or started and yes I do think any local mp would be all over it
There are also junior Scottish ministers that could be considered relevant eg Business, Employment or even Veterans. It shouldn’t be too hard to find someone that sounds important to attend.
Could do if it was that important. But don’t fgorget that anythign Westminster does cannot have its toesd trodden on by mere devolved politicians unless they happen to be same party as Westminster. If it was new ship first of its class and something special and historic there is a point, however it isn’t.
But it isn’t a new project, which is the point. Merely a continuation of an older one and this latest ship is just another down the same production line.
So what? For Scottish “government” read a corrupt bunch if idiots who could not run a county council let alone a country. Devolution was a mistake, one of the biggest in the UK’s history. Bite me.
Corrupt!!!! Have you not looked at what goes on in the UK Government? The Scottish Government who make a better job of most aspects of devolved responsibilities than their counterparts elsewhere. You may wish to be governed and administered to the same lower standards by Westminster but that is your perogative. Wishful thinking and hoping your opinion is actually true is not the same as reality! What bits of devolution were a mistake and why? What are the real facts (not inuendo and wishful thinking) that supports your profound knowledge? The fact that they are running a country undermines your comment. Do you really think that doing exactly the same as is done in England is an improvement. You may not like the concept of devolution but is the alternative actually better and on what basis?
Triggered.
? WTF is that supposed to mean? Pots calling kettles blacker! Or you ignoring the wasted billions coming from Westminster and including the MoD?
How much does the SNP pay you?
? What is wrong with reasoned debate and explanations of what ACTUALLY happened when trying to counter the re-writing of misinformation. You’d rather accept the latest conspiracy theory designed to fool poeple about an alternate reality?
Nick, your posts are reflexively defensive of the SNP. In fact, the SNP is probably the worst of the devolved regimes WRT transport, education, health, drug deaths etc despite the fiscal advantages conferred by the Barnett formulae. Only a fool, or an employee of the SNP would continue to defend them so vociferously.
Not so much defensive as explaining where the stupid assertions people make are ill-informed and invariably factually incorrect. It is potentially damaging for a defence related discussion to continually peddle falsehoods. I really suiggest you actually check on the real facts and comparisons before pretending (hopeful wishful thinking) that what you claim are worse are actually some of the best across the UK. Instead of merely repeating the same unfounded misinformation (probably because it agrees with your preconceptions and bias) and actually compare with things where Westminster has devolved responsibility. Drug deaths do not occur because politicians make them happen, they occur because ultimatelty individuals choose to expose themselves to risk. The same with drink. Since Westminster chooses to interfere in such decisions by not allowing us to try new approaches instead requiring us to wait while they procrastinate over an enforced (and failing) UK wide approach. Only a fool believes the propaganda of mainstream media misinformation. Why do you think whenever there is a report of failing England/Welsh services are the fugures ALWAYS based there and do NOT include Scottish and N Irish comparisons? Regardless of bias that alone tells a significant story. Health (NHS) performance is statistically better on most measures than England (you have to dig deep to find the figures), what transport issues that are not inflicted across the UK, in education results are decided by those being educated and not done down for some peculiar and pointless political directive, The Barnett formula merely gives us a population proportionate share of what England (or more precisely the Chancellor of the Exchequer) decides is good for England. You really need to do much more research than listening to your echo chamber of misdirection and make proper comparisons on a like for like basis. Belief is not the foundation of truth, facts are. Choosing to believe falsehoods does not make them true. It is of course your right to make choices based on your falsehoods but that does not make them sensible or even correct, especially on balance. This is exactly the outcome of Brexit as a recent example. On balance it has been worse for most ordinary people, none of the promoted advantages have come true, only a handful mostly the money launderers continue to gain, at everybody else’s expense and inconvenience. I’m not arguing for or against just pointing out wrong impressions and outcomes.
Just don’t invite any of them next time or thereafter. It’d be interesting to see if there were any repercussions?
Considering past comments by SNP Ministers about the lack of ships being built in Scotland… perhaps they just didn’t know that Rosyth was actually in Scotland?
Ancient news that was actually true when it was stated. Since then the world has moved on! At one time your out of date knowledge was actually true. That has changed and on the generic ‘ships’ they always have been built here.
There is a word for you to look up… sarcasm.
That is a helpful response to the debate – not! Resorting to diversiuonary soundbites that are meaningless means you have lost the argument. Your grasp of even recent history is nil. the original statement sparking this exchange was true a long timne ago. But it has all moved on so the whole rationale for the latest version is completely wrong. Just clickbait misinformation and all those gullible peoplke fall for it! Why on earth are people so ready to accept without question anything and everything negative even when the actual evidence is in support of the positive? Whoever starts these are trolling and so many people believe and repeat them!
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/first-minister-misrepresents-scottish-shipbuilding/
Old history 2 years ago, same party in power. You are entitled to your opinions. However, the ones not accepting the evidence were a political party that is basically discredited through corruption – but they still seem to have the same attitudes. Otherwise someone would have shown. Sorry, just because someone doesn’t share your opinions doesn’t make them a troll, nor does it make there knowledge ‘nil’. It does say a lot about you – you’re the only one that appears to want an argument!
Rosyth is 40 minutes away. Govan and Scotstoun is what, an hour and half tops. We all know it’s political.
It is rubbing salt in the wounds given the SNPs involvement in the ferry fiasco.
Possibly the ferry fiasco has put the SNP off shipbuilding.
You can guarantee that the SG would be the first to moan and whinge if that hadn’t been invited !!!! They really are clowns! They should of sent an invitation to them saying come along with your best Palestinian flag!
Reading this link should inform the party political commentators! https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/snp-mp-urges-faster-increase-in-defence-spending/