Starmer ‘staggered’ by SNP blocking investment – Daily Business

Sir Keir Starmer has waded into the row over the SNP government’s refusal to fund a specialist welding centre, saying it was blocking job opportunities for young people.

The SNP and Scottish Enterprise have refused to provide a £2.5 million grant towards an £11m investment from Rolls-Royce on the grounds that it is linked to munitions.

It is a long-standing policy of the SNP – and therefore the development agency – not to support such ventures.

During prime minister’s questions, Sir Keir said it was “staggering” that the Scottish government was blocking the project, even though Rolls-Royce has made it clear that it is not involved in producing weapons. The company has warned that without an early decision the project will not go ahead.

At the weekend the Defence Secretary John Healey accused John Swinney, the first minister, of indulging in “student union” politics and said the Labour government would step to provide the money.

Sir Keir today said: “At a time of global conflict, it is staggering that the SNP policy is to block an £11 million investment for a new national welding centre on the Clyde,.

“I was there earlier this week. I saw the huge potential for apprenticeships, for job opportunities and for young people. I support it, they block it.

“Despite the highest funding settlement in the history of devolution, they’re cutting college budgets, they’re blocking opportunities, they have no plan for Scotland’s future.”

The row deepened after Mr Swinney sent a junior minister to a briefing with the UK government about the defence review in order to join campaigners in the Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse by-election.

Scottish Tory MSP Stephen Kerr said the SNP’s position on munitions conflicted with the party’s backing of military aid to Ukraine.

“It is posturing, bound up in the pacifistic ideology that requires ignoring the hard realities of an increasingly dangerous world,” he said.

Observers have noted that one of the partners in the proposed welding centre is the University of Strathclyde whose principal and vice-chancellor, Prof Sir Jim McDonald, is stepping down to become chairman of Scottish Enterprise. Rolls-Royce sponsors the university’s technology centre.