Moray MP Douglas Ross has welcomed multi-billion-pound boost to the UK defence budget that will “transform” the armed forces and create new military jobs.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has today announced a spending increase of £4billion each year for the next four years.
The increase is the largest since the end of the Cold War and will bring UK spending up to 2.2% of GDP – above the Nato target and higher than any other member state except the United States.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has estimated that the budget increase will create 40,000 new jobs across the UK.
Scottish Conservative MP for Moray Douglas Ross said:
“The Prime Minister’s announcement today will transform our armed forces, create thousands of new jobs and improve our national security.
“This is very good news for Scotland, where so many jobs depend on UK defence spending.
“The armed forces are absolutely vital to our local economy here in Moray and this multi-year spending commitment Will be welcomed by our service personnel and their families.
“We are already seeing huge investment at RAF Lossiemouth by this UK Government with the P8 facility and this announcement reaffirms our commitment to the Armed Forces here in Moray and across the country.
“Scotland, and Moray, has always played a critical role in UK defence and this announcement will ensure that continues for a long time to come.”