Nuclear warheads moved secretly through local communities

A new generation of Trident nuclear weapons will cost Scotland 3000 jobs, according to a report from the Scotland without Nuclear Weapons working group.

SNP MSP Bill Kidd today drew attention to the report, which backs the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government’s opposition to new nuclear weapons on the Clyde.

The report also calls for local councils to be informed when nuclear warheads are moved through their communities. At present local authorities are not informed.

Commenting, Bill Kidd MSP – a member of the Council of Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament said: “Nuclear Weapons are unwanted, illegal and are a scar on, not only this country, but the whole world.  Scotland, has spoken overwhelmingly both in the Scottish Parliament and in the House of Commons against the renewal of Trident on the Clyde yet this Labour Government at Westminster is determined to press on with these dreadful plans.

“This report shows that renewing Trident will actually cost 3000 jobs.

"Not only that the money that will be invested in Trident could make a major contribution to economic recovery and investment in frontline services - with an estimated £1.7 billion coming to Scotland.

“This report should be a warning to the Labour and Tory party’s as they plan major cuts to Scotland’s  budget in coming years but continue to  press ahead with plans to waste over £100 billion on something that no one, except themselves want.

Commenting on concerns raised in the report over the transportation of nuclear weapons Mr Kidd added: “This report has also once again highlighted the danger communities are put in, when Nuclear Warheads are transported through towns and cities without the knowledge of our Local Authorities.

“We’ve got what it takes to live in a world free from Nuclear weapons, that is what the public wants, that is what Scotland wants. It’s time for Westminster to start listening to the people.

Notes:

1.      Working Group on Scotland Without Nuclear Weapons: Report to Scottish Ministers: Chapter one “The projected costs of Trident replacement are already estimated to be far higher than was set out in the 2006 White Paper. The effect of expenditure on Trident replacement on Scottish budgets, in the context of future Comprehensive Spending Reviews, will have a negative impact on public expenditure in Scotland with a corresponding effect on jobs: the STUC/ CND estimates that replacing Trident could cost Scotland 3000 jobs.

Report of the Scotland without Nuclear Weapons working Group.

Response of the Scottish Government.