Employment and Skills for the Defence Industry in Scotland

Employment and Skills for the Defence Industry in Scotland PDF Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Scottish Affairs Committee
Publisher: The Stationery Office
ISBN: 9780215521170
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 164

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Book Description
Defence and aerospace industries in Scotland generate nearly £2.31 billion in sales and together with the MoD support almost 50,000 jobs and a record number of apprentices. As well as a recognised expertise in naval ship building, Scotland also has a strong defence electronics industry and a strong aerospace industry based around Prestwick. This report examines the delay in the signing of the contract for two new aircraft carriers: the Committee is concerned that similar delays during the construction phase could lead to job losses and damage the ship-building skills base the UK needs to support if it wishes to retain sovereign capability in key areas. The Committee also comments on the Government's decision to treat the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) vessels as commercial rather than naval vessels, making them subject to EU competition law. There is confusion over the status of these vessels. The report also looks at the supply of skilled, semi-skilled and graduate workers, the Modern Apprenticeship programme, and the funding for adult apprentices. It is vital for Scottish industry to look at upskilling throughout the workforce, including mature workers who were not able to access apprenticeships as school leavers. The issue of constitutional change also affects the future sustainability of the Scottish defence industry. In the long term it is unclear what naval requirement an independent Scotland would have and whether this would make up for the potential loss of UK MoD orders. Government and industry need to work effectively together to ensure that Scotland's engineering and manufacturing base continues to be world class.

Employment and Skills for the Defence Industry in Scotland

Employment and Skills for the Defence Industry in Scotland PDF Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Scottish Affairs Committee
Publisher: The Stationery Office
ISBN: 9780215521170
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 164

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Book Description
Defence and aerospace industries in Scotland generate nearly £2.31 billion in sales and together with the MoD support almost 50,000 jobs and a record number of apprentices. As well as a recognised expertise in naval ship building, Scotland also has a strong defence electronics industry and a strong aerospace industry based around Prestwick. This report examines the delay in the signing of the contract for two new aircraft carriers: the Committee is concerned that similar delays during the construction phase could lead to job losses and damage the ship-building skills base the UK needs to support if it wishes to retain sovereign capability in key areas. The Committee also comments on the Government's decision to treat the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) vessels as commercial rather than naval vessels, making them subject to EU competition law. There is confusion over the status of these vessels. The report also looks at the supply of skilled, semi-skilled and graduate workers, the Modern Apprenticeship programme, and the funding for adult apprentices. It is vital for Scottish industry to look at upskilling throughout the workforce, including mature workers who were not able to access apprenticeships as school leavers. The issue of constitutional change also affects the future sustainability of the Scottish defence industry. In the long term it is unclear what naval requirement an independent Scotland would have and whether this would make up for the potential loss of UK MoD orders. Government and industry need to work effectively together to ensure that Scotland's engineering and manufacturing base continues to be world class.

Work of the Committee in 2007

Work of the Committee in 2007 PDF Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Scottish Affairs Committee
Publisher: The Stationery Office
ISBN: 9780215513571
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 16

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Book Description
Work of the Committee In 2007 : Fourth report of session 2007-08, report, together with formal Minutes

House of Commons - Defence Committee: The Defence Implications of Possible Independence - Volume I: HC 198

House of Commons - Defence Committee: The Defence Implications of Possible Independence - Volume I: HC 198 PDF Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Defence Committee
Publisher: The Stationery Office
ISBN: 9780215062468
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 124

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Book Description
In this report the Defence Committee says the information published so far by the Scottish Government on the defence and security implications of Scottish independence falls far short of requirements. The Committee also cannot currently judge the likely running costs of the proposed Scottish defence force, given the limited information it has so far received. The Committee is, however, unconvinced that the proposed budget of £2.5bn can support both the proposed Scottish defence force and the purchase of new equipment including fast jets and submarines. The report seeks answers to the following questions: how would a sovereign Scottish Government ensure the defence and security of an independent Scotland? For what purposes would Scottish armed forces be used? How would Scottish armed forces be structured and trained, and where would they be based? How much would it cost to equip, support and train an independent Scotland's armed forces and how much of this could be procured and delivered domestically? And how many jobs in the defence sector would be placed at risk? The Committee also raises detailed questions about the proposed Scottish defence force: the numbers and types of aircraft and naval vessels which would be needed and how they would be procured and maintained; the numbers of combat troops the Scottish Government envisages (including its plan to re-instate historic Scottish regiments); and the availability of training facilities to maintain the appropriate professional standards. In the event of independence, the defence industry in Scotland would face a difficult future.

Scotland and the UK

Scotland and the UK PDF Author: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Scottish Affairs Committee
Publisher: The Stationery Office
ISBN: 9780215553287
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 130

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Book Description
This report examines the arrangements in place for communication between the UK Government and Scottish Executive, particularly when the UK Government formulates international policy which will specifically affect Scottish interests and devolved matters. Generally there are effective channels of communication at both ministerial and official level between the two governments. Whitehall tends to overlook the Scottish angle of policy and legislation more often in those departments which are unfamiliar with devolved matters. We recommend that the Government ensures that each department has a devolution champion to ensure that there is a good level of awareness of devolution issues. The revival of the Joint Ministerial Committee should provide an important forum for discussion between Ministers of the UK Government and devolved administrations. However, there is little opportunity for parliamentary scrutiny of the outcomes and effectiveness of the Committee's meetings. The report welcomes the publication of the new Protocol for Avoidance and Resolution of Disputes as the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding did not provide adequate guidance on how disputes between the UK and Scotland should be resolved. This was demonstrated during the communications between the governments on the UK's negotiations with Libya on the Prisoner Transfer Agreement. Both Governments should display the necessary political will to ensure that both understand each other's point of view and demonstrate the mutual respect which should characterise all their dealings.

Banking in Scotland

Banking in Scotland PDF Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Scottish Affairs Committee
Publisher: The Stationery Office
ISBN: 9780215544483
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 56

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Book Description
This report examines the impact on Scotland of the current economic crisis, specifically the recapitalisation of two of its largest banks: Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and the newly merged Lloyds TSB and Halifax Bank of Scotland. Evidence suggests that customers are not being fairly treated by the very banks being supported by taxpayers' money to the tune of hundreds of billions of pounds. The Committee is disappointed that both banks and the Minister consider it a necessary evil to reward to certain bank executives with enormous bonuses when thousands of rank and file employees face redundancy. They are not convinced that there has been a change of culture within banks as a result of the crisis and are concerned that front-line staff are still being pressured to sell potentially unsuitable products such as loans and credit cards to customers at pre-crisis levels. Furthermore, small and medium sized businesses vital to the Scottish economy have experienced extreme difficulties in the past eighteen months in accessing the finance necessary to keep themselves afloat. This inquiry specifically covered the effect of the banking crisis on jobs, services to the public and small business lending in Scotland; the effect of the failure of Scottish banks and building societies on the international reputation of Scotland's banking sector and the effectiveness of measures put in place by the UK Government

Commission on Scottish Devolution

Commission on Scottish Devolution PDF Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Scottish Affairs Committee
Publisher: The Stationery Office
ISBN: 9780215544575
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 76

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Book Description
This report examines the recommendations of the Commission on Scottish Devolution ('the Calman Commission'), specifically the parts which relate to relations between the two parliaments. The Scottish Affairs Committee concludes that closer cooperation between the UK and Scottish parliaments and governments is only possible if backed up by political will. Removing procedural barriers is only one part of improving communication and cooperation; structural changes alone will not make the difference. The Committee's key findings are: the Government should make time for a regular 'State of Scotland' debate, to include devolved matters; The UK and Scottish governments have given a positive response to the idea of appearing before committees of either Parliament; the idea of a 'Scottish Super Grand Committee' composed of Scottish MPs, MSPs and Scottish MEPs should be revisited; changes should be made to allow UK and Scottish parliamentary committees to work together; positive consideration should be given to whether Scottish ministers can give evidence to UK Parliament committees examining Scotland Act Orders; arrangements should be made to remove any unnecessary barriers to access for MSPs visiting Westminster; a programme of exchanges and secondments with the Scottish Parliament should be funded and encouraged by the House.

The Referendum on Separation for Scotland

The Referendum on Separation for Scotland PDF Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Scottish Affairs Committee
Publisher: The Stationery Office
ISBN: 9780215052506
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 40

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Book Description
The Commons Scottish Affairs Committee warns that the shipbuilding industry and its employees face a choice between two starkly different futures at the referendum on Separation. If Scotland remains within the UK the Clyde Shipyards at Govan and Scotstoun will become the main British centre of excellence for naval surface ships, with the order for the complete run of Type-26 vessels, plus any export work, guaranteeing its future well into the next decade. The Clyde yards will then be the sole supplier of complex naval ships to the Royal Navy and will have both security and prosperity by remaining within the United Kingdom. The shipyard at Rosyth will get carrier refit work over 50 years. If Scotland separates there will be no UK naval build, and repair work for any separate Scottish Navy has been promised to Faslane. The Clyde shipyards will not be eligible for UK-restricted orders and will have little prospect of winning export work. The needs of any Scottish Navy will be insufficient to maintain capacity and any attempts to switch into a short run of submarine building would be prohibitively expensive. The Committee says a further great difficulty is caused by the delay in holding the Referendum. The Ministry of Defence will not place an order for the type-26 new Royal Navy frigates until the constitutional position is clear. However, if the referendum is delayed in the meantime the shipyards will run out of work, and may therefore also lose capacity to fulfil the contracts they will be awarded if Scotland stays in the UK

Routledge Library Editions: Multinationals

Routledge Library Editions: Multinationals PDF Author: Various Authors
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 1351984101
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 2186

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Book Description
The volumes in this set, originally published between 1955 and 1993, draw together research by leading academics in the area of multinationals and provides a rigorous examination of related key issues. The volumes examine foreign investment and currency translation, environmental control issues and the impact of multinationals on the British economy. This set will be of particular interest to students of business studies.

Defence Industrial Strategy

Defence Industrial Strategy PDF Author: Great Britain: Ministry of Defence
Publisher: The Stationery Office
ISBN: 0101669720
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 152

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Book Description
This strategy document sets out the Government's analysis of the UK's defence industrial capabilities requirement, and is divided into three parts: i) a strategic overview including information on the principles and processes that underpin procurement and industrial decisions, the need for transparency, the evolving defence industry environment, developments and innovation in defence research technology; ii) a review of different industrial sectors and cross-cutting industrial capabilities; and iii) how the strategy will be implemented and an assessment of implications for the Ministry of Defence and industry as a whole.

The future of the UK's strategic nuclear deterrent

The future of the UK's strategic nuclear deterrent PDF Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Defence Committee
Publisher: The Stationery Office
ISBN: 0215031784
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 178

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Book Description
In its White Paper (published in December 2006 as Cm 6994, ISBN 0101699425) on the future of the UK's nuclear deterrent, the Government reaffirmed its commitment to maintain the submarine-based Trident weapons system. This will require the procurement of a new generation of nuclear-powered Trident submarines to replace the current fleet of Vanguard-class submarines. Following on from the Committee's earlier report on the strategic context and timetable for decision-making on the renewal of the UK's nuclear deterrent (HCP 986, session 2005-06; ISBN 0215029445), this report focuses on issues related to the UK manufacturing and skills base. These include: the level of investment needed to sustain essential infrastructure and core skills in the UK submarine construction industry; the potential consequences of a gap in the submarine building programme for the long-term viability of the domestic manufacturing and skills base; the implications of the rationalisation of the UK shipbuilding industry for the construction, maintenance and affordability of a Vanguard-class successor; and the linkage between the Government's Defence Industrial Strategy and the decision on retention, replacement or abolition of the UK's Trident system. It also examines the Government's investment programme at the Atomic Weapons Establishment and the possible impact of a new civil nuclear build programme for the retention of nuclear skills and expertise in the military sector.