Overview
- The Ministry of Defence confirmed £2.5 million to secure a Welding Skills Centre in Glasgow to train specialists for nuclear submarine reactors.
- Funding is routed through the eight‑year Unity contract with Rolls‑Royce, worth about £9 billion, which consolidates submarine support and skills programmes.
- Rolls‑Royce Submarines will initially operate the centre with Malin Group and the University of Strathclyde as part of an £11 million project.
- The announcement was framed alongside a £10 billion Type 26 frigate export to Norway, cited as supporting thousands of Clyde shipbuilding jobs into the 2030s.
- A political row continues: Defence Secretary John Healey says Labour stepped in after SNP policy restricted support, while the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise say no formal funding application was received and highlight past sector support.