Firms could benefit from defence spending

Renfrewshire businesses should benefit from the "defence dividend", Alison Taylor MP has said, after meeting ministers at Faslane naval base.

- EDEL KENEALY

The MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North said large employers such as Babcock, Rolls Royce and BAE are well positioned to win contracts and bolster the UK Government's defence infrastructure.

Ms Taylor made a strong case for the businesses as she joined ministers Ian Murray and Maria Eagle as they visited Faslane in Helensburgh, Argyll & Bute.

The Scottish Secretary and minister for defence procurement and industry were in Scotland on Wednesday to launch the long-term, multi-billion-pound Clyde 2070 redevelopment programme - which will see billions pumped into the industry in the coming decades.

It has commenced with a £250 million upgrade to the Helensburgh naval base to ensure it is fit to house the next generation of nuclear submarines.