Scottish Secretary invited to discuss Moray bases threat

Date Added - 28/07/10

Community leaders in Moray are to call on the Scottish Secretary to meet them amid fears that at least one of the area’s two RAF bases could be facing closure.

The threat to RAF Kinloss and RAF Lossiemouth – and the huge impact their loss would have on the economy of the area – was discussed today by the Moray Community Planning Board taskforce set up to resist moves which would see either of the bases close.

Their future has been the subject of intense speculation as the Government works on a wide-ranging review of Britain’s defence capabilities, the results of which are expected in the autumn.

The stations at Kinloss and Lossiemouth were founded in the last 1930s and have been one of the mainstays of the Moray economy for generations.

Between them they generate well in excess of £100million annually for the local economy and support thousands of jobs.

Moray Council convener Councillor George McIntyre, who chaired the taskforce meeting, said: “Moray has a long and proud history of supporting RAF Kinloss and RAF Lossiemouth and playing its part in the defence of the UK.

“Given that 20% of the Moray economy is defence dependant, the Strategic Defence and Security Review now poses a real threat to the bases and it is important that the role which both play in Moray is taken into account in any decision-making process.

“It is impossible to gauge the impact that the bases have on the area without looking at the economy in the round, but what can be said with certainty is that the loss of one or both of the bases would be devastating for Moray and its economy.

“The Strategic Defence and Security Review and its potential implications for our twin bases represent a threat not only to jobs but to the whole economy and infrastructure of Moray.

“While it is of some comfort to hear that the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, has stated that the ‘regional impact’ must be taken into account when cuts are being made in Britain’s defence budget, it is apparent that the Ministry of Defence is resisting that approach.

“I will be writing to Michael Moore, the Secretary of State for Scotland, to invite him to Moray to meet the community planning board and provide us with an opportunity to explain to him just how crucial RAF Kinloss and RAF Lossiemouth are to the Moray area.

“HIE in Inverness will also be seeking a meeting with Mr Alexander to stress how vital these bases are not only to Moray but to the wider economy of the region.”