Written by Phyllis Stephen
THE Scottish Secretary, The Rt Hon Douglas Alexander, had a busy day on Thursday with a visit to BAE Systems in Glasgow as part of his agenda.
He met with apprentices and staff at the site to learn how UK Government investment supports skilled employment. The Prime Minister made a commitment earlier this week to deindustrialise Britain.
The UK Government says it supports shipbuilding on the Clyde with investment from the Defence Investment Plan, the Scottish Defence Growth Deal and a £10 billion Norwegian shipbuilding contract. Andy Burnham spoke to the Norwegian Prime Minister,Jonas Gahr Støre, on Thursday agreeing that as a result of strong partnership between the two countries there are industrial opportunities to explore.
Mr Alexander said: “It was a pleasure to visit BAE Systems and see the incredible skills and expertise here in Glasgow. It shows exactly why Scotland is so central to our national defence and our industrial future. This is the defence dividend in action – billions of pounds of UK Government investment creating and sustaining good jobs in communities right across Scotland.
“Having been reappointed as Scottish Secretary earlier this week, I will work closely with Prime Minister Andy Burnham to drive good growth and give people back hope. Scotland’s world-class defence sector – and the skilled jobs and apprenticeships at the heart of it – will be central to that ambition.”
Sir Simon Lister, Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Naval Ships business in Glasgow added:
“We were delighted to welcome the Scottish Secretary to our yards. We’re proud of our people and the work they do here in Glasgow for our customers, so it was a pleasure to introduce him to some of our talented colleagues. In the last two years, we have invested heavily in our skills and infrastructure to create a world class shipyard. These investments have created opportunities to serve customers here in the UK, and abroad, and create a new history for shipbuilding here in Glasgow.”
Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, said that “keeping people safe is the first priority of any Prime Minister. in his first speech in Downing Street, Mr Burnham said that the country will “honour our commitments on defence to our international partners”.
Use of photo courtesy of BAE Systems
Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP.Secretary of State for Scotland.Toured the BAE Systems Shipbuilding Academy and Shipyard in Scotstoun Shipyards
Pictured in front of HMS Cardiff
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