Sweeney challenges Scot Gov on defence policy ‘hypocrisy’

The Scottish Government has come under sustained criticism from across the political spectrum over its decision not to support a proposed naval welding centre on the Clyde, with multiple Members of the Scottish Parliament branding its defence funding policy “incoherent” and “hypocritical”.

The criticism follows the rejection of a £2.5 million grant application by Rolls-Royce and the Malin Group, part of an £11 million investment into a new naval welding facility in Glasgow aimed at supporting the UK’s naval shipbuilding programme.

Labour MSP Paul Sweeney raised the issue during a Scottish Parliament session, pointing out that despite the government’s long-standing opposition to funding munitions manufacturing, the proposed facility was designed to support shipbuilding, not weapons production.

“It is rather ironic that the only thing that is keeping Government-owned Ferguson Marine open is its steel fabrication subcontract work from BAE Systems for Type 26 frigates,” said Sweeney. “While the Scottish Government’s own procurement agency has recently awarded CalMac ferry contracts to Turkish and Polish shipbuilders.”

He called on Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes to reconsider the funding decision, arguing it was “incoherent” and risked undermining investment in Scotland’s largest industrial employer.

In response, Forbes reiterated the Scottish Government’s position, stating: “We are committed to ensuring that Scotland is the home of manufacturing innovation. We do not use public money to support the manufacture of munitions but will support skills and defence companies.” She added that “£45 million in funding” had been provided to defence-related companies through enterprise agencies since the Scottish National Party (SNP) came to office.

Further scrutiny came from Labour MSP Jackie Baillie, who also pointed to the government’s ownership and funding of Ferguson Marine—currently engaged in Type 26 frigate work—as a contradiction of its own defence funding policy.

“Why is that acceptable but funding Rolls-Royce in partnership with the Malin Group to establish a welding school is not?” asked Baillie. “Is the Scottish National Party putting its interests before the interests of jobs and the economy and the best interests of Scotland?”

Baillie went further, mocking the SNP’s position on defence support: “The Government essentially does not believe that the military should have weapons. What does the Government believe the Army, the Navy and the Air Force should defend the country with? Peashooters? Bows and arrows? A telling-off?”

Minister Richard Lochhead defended the Scottish Government’s approach, emphasising support for skills and diversification. “We put the emphasis on diversification and skills development,” he said. “That is why, as I explained, £45 million-worth of support has been allocated to defence companies.”

SNP MSP Bill Kidd supported the government’s stance, describing its policy as a “principled position” and asked about wider industrial engagement and a new £2 million initiative to support engineering skills in the Glasgow region. Lochhead confirmed that the government works closely with defence companies, including through the ADS Scotland trade body, and highlighted that “1,500 apprentices” are employed annually by the sector.

However, Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr took a harsher tone, calling the government’s policy “grossly hypocritical.” He cited a letter from the First Minister dated 1 April 2025, which promised a review of Scottish Enterprise policy to ensure support for the defence sector in “an increasingly uncertain world.” Kerr pressed Lochhead for details, asking: “Did that review take place? If so, what was the outcome?”

The Scottish Government did not confirm the status of the review during the session.