SNP MSP Bill Kidd has welcomed the first meeting of the Scottish Government's Working Group on a Scotland without nuclear weapons held today [Wednesday].  Mr Kidd highlighted how Trident was a jobs destroyer in Scotland, and how there was overwhelming opposition to a Trident replacement from Scottish MPs, the Scottish Parliament and the public.

Commenting Mr Kidd said: "The STUC and SCND have shown that if the UK Government was not spending billions of pounds on a new generation of weapons of mass destruction we could have significant investment in other, more productive parts of our economy.

"Trident is a costly waste of government's limited resources. It is a jobs destroyer as well as being immoral.
 

"The STUC has shown up the scaremongering of some Labour politicians and the Ministry of Defence.  Trident is not the key to employment on the Clyde. In fact replacing Trident could cost Scotland and the Clyde 3,000 jobs.

"There are many more ways of ensuring employment that do not require nuclear weapons.

"Through the National Conversation and with the support of the Scottish Parliament following the historic vote on 14th June to oppose new nuclear weapons on the Clyde the SNP is keen to work with the STUC and SCND to see a future for Scotland and for jobs on the Clyde that does not include Trident."

Notes:

1. The STUC's Trident report is available here.
   
   
2. A majority of Scottish MPs are against Trident's replacement.
   At Westminster on 14th March 2007 33 Scottish MPs voted against Trident with only 22 for.
   
   
3. The Scottish Parliament opposes the replacement of Trident.
   In the Scottish Parliament on 14th June 2007 71 MSPs voted against Trident with only 16 for.
   
   
4. A majority of the people of Scotland oppose Trident.

Polling Information:

* Scottish MP's right to determine location of Trident?
YOUGOV SURVEY FOR SNP Fieldwork: March 12-15, 2007 Sample Size: 1144

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? 'If a majority of Scottish MPs vote in parliament against the replacement of Britain's Trident nuclear missiles, that replacement nuclear missile system should not be sited in Scotland'

Agree 65
Disagree 23
Don't know 12


* Keeping Trident in Scotland for at least 50 years
ICM for Scottish CND on 26-29 January 2007

The government has begun considering plans to replace Britain's nuclear weapon system, Trident, which is nearing the end of its lifetime. If the government goes ahead with the plans, nuclear weapons would be based in Scotland for the next 50 years. Would you support or oppose nuclear weapons being based in Scotland for this period of time?

Oppose 64
Support 30
Don't know 6


* Replacing Trident at a cost of £50bn
ICM for Scottish CND on 26-29 January 2007

The cost of replacing Trident is estimated by the government to be around £20 billion, with running costs estimated by others to take the amount spent in total to around £50 billion over the lifetime of the new weapons system. Do you think it is right or wrong to spend around £50 billion in total on new nuclear weapons ?

Wrong 73
Right 21
Don't know 6


* Replacing Trident at a cost of £25 bn capital cost
YOUGOV SURVEY FOR SNP: RESULTS Fieldwork: February 13-19, 2007; sample 1,191

I would rather see the £25 billion capital cost for a new generation of nuclear missiles spent on public services such as local schools, hospitals and police

Agree 76
Disagree 12
Not sure 12


The UK government is due to make a decision on the purchase of a new generation nuclear missile system to replace Trident, at a capital cost of around £25 billion. Would you support or oppose the government buying a new nuclear missile system to replace Trident?

Support purchase of system to replace Trident 18
Oppose purchase of system to replace Trident 66
Don't know 16


YOUGOV SURVEY FOR SNP Fieldwork: March 12-15, 2007 Sample Size: 1144

The latest estimate for the life-time cost of a replacement for the Trident nuclear missile system is between £76 billion and £100 billion pounds. Do you think this is a good or bad use of public money?

Good use 15
Bad use 72
Don't know 13