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Scottish Government challenged by Livingston MP over its policy of not spending to support munitions manufactureGregor Poynton is calling for reform of the Scottish National Investment

Bank’s policiesNewsMichael Pringle11:01, 04 Jun 2025Gregor Poynton MP has sent a letter to Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes(Image: Getty Images) Livingston MP Gregor Poynton has demanded

the Scottish Government reverse its opposition to spending on the manufacture of munitions, warning Scotland risks being left behind as the UK commits billions to strengthening national

security.

The Labour MP has written to Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, calling for urgent reform of the Scottish National Investment Bank’s restrictive policies that prevent it from backing

Scotland’s defence companies.

‌ The intervention follows Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s announcement of new defence investments, including £15 billion for the UK’s sovereign warhead programme and plans to build up to 12

new attack submarines.

‌ The letter to the Deputy First Minister follows an announcement that defence spending will rise to £79.7 billion by 2027/28, with plans to build up to 12 new submarines, create six

munitions’ factories, and support 30,000 defence jobs across the UK.

READ MORE: Over 12,000 children supported through Scottish Child Payment by families in West Lothian The Scottish Government has reiterated that it is not its policy to use money from the

public purse for the “manufacture of munitions”.

Gregor Poynton MP labelled the Scottish Government stance as “student union politics at its worst” and accused the SNP of being “more concerned with ideology than protecting Scottish jobs

and supporting our allies”.

Article continues below He added: “They’ll condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but refuse to let Scotland’s public investment bank support the very industries helping Ukraine defend itself.

Gregor Poynton MP(Image: Gregor Poynton MP) “This isn’t principled, it’s a dereliction of duty that will cost Scotland thousands of high-skilled jobs and billions in investment.”

‌ A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government’s long-standing policy position is that it does not use public money to support the manufacture of munitions.

“We recognise the importance of the aerospace, defence and shipbuilding sectors for Scotland’s economy, and are committed to ensuring Scotland is the home of manufacturing and innovation.

READ MORE: Petition backing for call to bring back bus service to Livingston Village “Ministers continue to engage with industries across the country as part of this work – including through

support for defence markets to diversify into civilian markets, training support and job creation.

‌ “We have received the letter and will respond in due course.”

However, the MP for Livingston claims Scotland risks missing out on this defence dividend due to the Scottish Government’s blanket opposition to backing companies involved in defence

manufacturing via the Scottish National Investment Bank.

READ MORE: Over £3.1 million paid to carers in West Lothian through new Scottish benefit Senior figures from Airbus, BAE Systems, and Babcock have told Parliament that allowing defence

investment in Scotland would strengthen the industry and boost the economy.

‌ In his letter to the Deputy First Minister, Gregor Poynton asks whether she agrees with maintaining “blanket opposition to supporting defence-related projects, even when they would deliver

thousands of high-skilled jobs and critical capabilities for Scotland.”

With the UK moving to “war-fighting readiness,” he warned that Scotland’s defence sector will be left behind while other parts of the UK surge ahead.

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