SNP defence sums don’t add up, says Chatham House think tank
AN independent Scotland would have to pay more for military recruits, yet have less to spend on equipment, a think tank believes.
The SNP Government claims a separate Scotland would need 15,000 personnel, more per head of population than the UK.
Its White Paper, Scotland’s Future, claims it would have an annual defence budget of around £2.5billion. However, a study into the consequences of a Yes vote, points out that the armed forces already have trouble recruiting, and so take on Commonwealth troops. Such an option would not be open to a new Scottish defence force.
Following a Yes vote, Scotland will work together with our friends in the rest of the UK
The report, from the International Affairs Unit at Chatham House, says: “A Scottish government would probably have to come up with a better remuneration package to entice recruits than that which the British Government offers.
“Since the Scottish Government has announced plans to spend proportionately less on defence, personnel costs will represent a far higher proportion of the overall defence budget.”
But Angus Robertson, the SNP’s defence spokesman, said: “Following a Yes vote, Scotland will work together with our friends in the rest of the UK, as well as NATO, to provide defence.”