Business figures Sir Tom Hunter and Lord Willie Haughey discussed defence, cyber threats, and Scotland’s role in the UK’s defence economy during this week’s Go Radio Business Show.
In a wide-ranging exchange, the two entrepreneurs spoke about the UK’s newly announced Defence Growth Deals, expected to inject £250 million into innovation and small business development across the sector.
Haughey welcomed the move, saying it could be “another wee boost for business”, noting that it would support “a lot of good jobs, a lot of quality jobs.”
Sir Tom Hunter turned the conversation toward Scottish Government policy on defence investment, saying that the SNP’s current stance placed it “in a difficult position.” He added, “They’ve come out and said they’re not going to invest in munitions or any companies that go to war. So on the one hand, you might think, okay, good moral stance. On the other hand, this is the defence of our nation.”
Hunter went on to highlight what he sees as a contradiction in government ownership of Prestwick Airport, remarking, “I live next to Prestwick Airport, and it’s owned by the government, so it’s owned by you and me and all the rest of the Scottish taxpayers, and it’s now a military base as far as I’m concerned.”
He described seeing military traffic regularly at the airfield, including “the Royal Canadian Air Force” and “a forward operating base.” He added, “Ryanair is the only commercial passenger aircraft moving out of there. The rest are military.”
The Go Radio Business Show also covered cyber threats and the upcoming UK Budget. Haughey revealed that his own business had been targeted by what he believes to be a Russian state-linked cyber attack, describing it as part of “an ongoing cyberwar.”
The full episode is available on YouTube: Go Radio Business Show – 29 September 2025.
