Chambers of Commerce throughout Scotland have joined forces to warn the UK Government any closure of RAF Leuchars would be “a cut too far.”
They insist Scotland’s economy would pay a “heavy price” were either the Fife base or RAF Lossiemouth in Moray to close during swingeing defence cuts.
The hard-hitting message came after fresh suggestions that Leuchars will be axed were dismissed by Ministry of Defence officials.
Reports had suggested the future of the Fife base was sealed during top-level ministerial discussions on Tuesday.
However, a source close to the UK Government that night told The Courier rumours of imminent closure were “spurious” and “unreliable.”
The Ministry of Defence claimed analysis is “ongoing” and said the meeting between ministers and defence chiefs was “routine.”
A decision on which base faces closure RAF Leuchars, Lossiemouth and Marham in Norfolk are all contenders is expected to be announced in summer.Business caseWith the closure of RAF Kinloss already confirmed, the Scottish Chambers of Commerce have warned of a “devastating impact” should either of the remaining Scottish bases be deemed surplus to requirements.
Chief executive Liz Cameron said, “Before the publication of the Strategic Defence and Security Review last October, Scottish Chambers of Commerce called upon the secretary of state for defence to have due regard to the economic impact of defence cuts on the Scottish economy.
“While we welcome the continuation of the contracts for the construction of the two new aircraft carriers, we still have serious concerns about the impact that the closure of two Scottish RAF airbases could have on our national and regional economies.
“The closure of RAF Kinloss will be a hard enough blow on the economy of Moray, but the continuing threat to RAF Lossiemouth, also in Moray, and RAF Leuchars in Fife is a cut too far for Scotland.”
The chambers call on the government to “realise the results of its decisions” on Scotland.
“We are in serious danger of suffering disproportionately as a result of the reduction in defence spending,” Ms Cameron warned.
“It is time the government realised that the results of its decisions could have far reaching implications for our economy’s capacity to compete more generally.
“Business understands the need for government to reduce overall levels of public spending in order to tackle the deficit, but cuts must be seen to be applied equitably across the UK.
“The threat that Scotland could lose two of its three RAF airbases is disproportionate and unfair.”Rumours criticisedNorth East Fife MP Sir Menzies Campbell criticised speculation that the decision to close Leuchars had already been taken.
“The debate about RAF Leuchars has been characterised too often by speculation which has subsequently proved to be totally without foundation,” he said.
“I have spoken to ministers in the relevant departments. I have been assured that no announcement is imminent and that, when it is made, the decision will be by ministers alone and not officials in the Ministry of Defence or senior military commanders.
“Rumours of this kind will not deflect in any way the continuing campaign for the retention of RAF Leuchars.”
A source close to the UK Government called the latest rumours “mischief-making”.
“The basing review is a complex piece of work and absolutely no decision has been made yet,” he told The Courier.
“However, it is clear that the case for Leuchars is being made to government very effectively.
“Each time one of these reports comes out it is almost instantly found to be spurious…you really have to start wondering about the reliability of these ‘sources’ that are quoted.”
The Ministry of Defence also denied that any conclusions had been made.
“There is no decision yet on the future of the RAF bases in Scotland,” he said.
“Ministers and chiefs met today for a regular meeting on defence transformation. Decisions on basing will be announced as soon as possible but it is important to make sure that any decisions made are the right ones for the armed forces, rather than rush through the process.”