LABOUR SPENDING REVIEW FORECAST TO BRING END TO AUSTERITY

By Lucy Ashton

The Clyde Submarine Base at  Faslane on the Gareloch is set to benefit from a multi-million investment package, following the UK Labour government and Chancellor Rachel Reeves Spending Review this week.

A multi-billion redevelopment of the site has been welcomed by Dumbarton constituency MSP Jackie Baillie.

HM Naval Base Clyde, which has an impact on employment numbers for West Dunbartonshire and South Argyll, has been earmarked for an initial £250 million funding package over three years.

It will form part of the ‘Clyde 2070’ programme to guarantee the facility a key role in the UK’s defence strategy.

The UK Labour government’s spending plans have been said to about to provide the largest real-terms settlement for Scotland since devolution began in 1999.

Scotland will receive the money from an extra £9.1 billion for Scottish public services over the next three years which Ms Baillie claims will bring to an end Tory austerity in Scotland.

Jackie Baillie welcomed the Chancellor’s Spending Review, saying: “It is clear that this has ended austerity in Scotland.

“It has delivered landmark settlements for the Scottish Government – these are historically large settlements.

“This has been a game-changing spending review which will deliver for Scottish public services, but it is now up to the SNP Government to spend it properly.

“The UK Government has given more money than ever before for Scotland, so the SNP has no excuse for not delivering for the NHS, policing, schools and for our services in communities.”

The Chancellor’s review also confirmed £8.3 billion for Scottish-headquartered GB Energy, to deliver clean, homegrown power.

Funding will also be made available for four Investment Zones – one of which will focus on boosting infrastructure around Glasgow Airport as part of the wider Glasgow City region.

“It is expected to generate at least £1.7 billion of investment and up to 18,000 jobs over 10 years,” she said.