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STARMER MADE THE COMMITMENT AS HE LAUNCHED THE STRATEGIC DEFENCE REVIEW AT THE BAE SITE IN GOVAN. 11:38, 02 Jun 2025Updated 13:38, 02 Jun 2025 Prime Minister Keir Starmer has vowed to

protect 25,000 Scottish jobs after unveiling a major increase in defence spending. New munitions factories and a multi-billion pound investment in nuclear warheads were among the measures

the Labour leader said would benefit the whole of the UK. Starmer made the commitment as he launched the Strategic Defence Review at the BAE site in Govan. He promised to secure the future

of shipbuilding and insisted Scotland would benefit from the defence “dividend” triggered by increased spending. The Prime Minister had previously committed to a huge rise in the wake of

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and President Trump demanding a greater contribution from European countries. Speaking inside a giant ship assembly hall, Starmer said the boost would support

400,000 jobs across the UK and 25,000 jobs north of the border. Article continues belowREAD MORE: Douglas Ross snubs Holyrood summit to attend 'seminar' near the BahamasREAD MORE:

Hamilton and Larkhall voters urged to 'call time' on 20 years of SNP 'failures' A UK Government source said there are around 10,450 jobs in the services, 3,930 civilian

roles and 11,200 in the wider industry. Starmer said the UK faced a “moment of danger and threat” after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and said: “I can announce today that we are going to

build at least six new munitions factories in the United Kingdom, generating over 1,000 jobs.” The Prime Minister also said a £15billion investment in a “sovereign warhead programme” will be

“part of the historic renewal of our nuclear deterrent”. The Labour Prime Minister said “three fundamental changes” would be made to the UK’s defence. He said: “First, we are moving to

war-fighting readiness as the central purpose of our armed forces. “When we are being directly threatened by states with advanced military forces, the most effective way to deter them is to

be ready, and frankly, to show them that we’re ready to deliver peace through strength.” The second change is that the Government will adopt a “Nato-first” stance towards defence so that

everything it does adds to the strength of the alliance. Starmer added: “Third, we will innovate and accelerate innovation at a wartime pace, so we can meet the threats of today and of

tomorrow, as the fastest innovator in Nato.” He added: “The strategic defence review that I’m launching today will bring that unity of purpose to the whole of the United Kingdom, to mobilise

the nation in a common cause, recognising in these dangerous times that when it comes to defence of the realm and the defence of everything that we hold dear, nothing works unless we all

work together. “From every man and woman serving in uniform, to the workers building the next generation of subs in Barrow, from the brilliant workers and apprentices right here in Govan,

building the new Type 26 frigates like the two that you could see being built right behind me, to our tech experts, our scientists, our engineers who are pioneering battlefield innovations

and cyber defences. “Every part of society, every citizen of this country, has a role to play because we have to recognise that things have changed. In the world of today, the front line, if

you like, is here.” The Prime Minster also criticised the SNP for wanting to scrap the UK’s nuclear deterrent from Faslane. However, Starmer faced questions about when defence spending

would reach 3% of GDP. He told the BBC: “We had a commitment for 2.5% by the end of this Parliament. We pulled that right forward to 2027. “We showed that when we say there’s a new era of

the defence and security of our country, is our first priority – as it is – that we meant it. We take the same approach to 3%. “But I’m not going to indulge in the fantasy politics of simply

plucking dates from the air until I’m absolutely clear that I can sit here in an interview with you and tell you exactly how that’s going to work, because I take the defence and security of

our country extremely seriously.” Article continues below TO SIGN UP TO THE DAILY RECORD POLITICS NEWSLETTER, CLICK HERE