Scotland Office

Thousands of UK Armed Forces personnel will spend Christmas Day keeping us safe on operations overseas and at home. The Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force protect the UK and its allies and promote our interests around the world, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This Christmas Day, 10,000 UK Armed Forces personnel including sailors, marines, soldiers, and aviators will be deployed overseas, sacrificing the holiday with their family and friends to keep the UK safe. Here is a snapshot of the action captured throughout 2024 📸 What's in the photos: Junior Soldiers rise to the challenge of one of the Army’s toughest promotion courses. The intense five-week Potential Non-Commissioned Officer course (PNCO) tests their readiness to progress from Private to Lance Corporal. Among those who qualified for promotion is Fusilier Taylor Emslie, the first female infantry soldier for the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team’s distinctive red Hawk jets transit through the Highlands whilst training at RAF Lossiemouth - part of the Red Arrows’ preparations for its 60th display season, which took place this summer. The choice of RAF Lossiemouth was made due to the great support provided by the base and its skilled people. Training there is also a chance for the Red Arrows to maintain important links with the fast-jet community at RAF Lossiemouth and share best practices and knowledge. His Majesty King Charles III inspects the Guard of Honour (formed of Balaklava Company, 5 SCOTS The Royal Regiment of Scotland) to officially welcome His Majesty The King to Balmoral Castle. A British Army trainer from the Royal Regiment of Scotland instructs Ukrainian soldiers during Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) training. Members of the AFU (Armed Forces of Ukraine) undertook EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) training provided in the UK. Ships from various NATO partner states enter the port of King George V docks (KGV) in Glasgow, in preparation for exercise Sea Breeze 24, a joint US/Ukrainian-led Mine Countermeasure Warfare exercise which took place off the coast of Scotland in June. The annual exercise, now in its 20th iteration, is co-hosted by the United States and Ukraine and aims to strengthen maritime security in the Black Sea region. Members of HM Naval Base Clyde line the jetty to say farewell to HMS Triumph. The Trafalgar-class nuclear submarine made its final journey, as she departed HMNB Clyde for the last time in her 3 decade-long career. Launched in Feb 1991, the T-Boat, which is the last of her class, has seen operational deployments all over the globe, often submerged for extremely long periods.

From social spaces for creative arts to historic buildings and sports grounds, UK Government funding is helping rescue 11 much loved local treasures across Scotland - part of a £5 million investment. Responding to the good news, Ian Murray said 🗯️ “Our Plan for Change is about boosting the pride and potential of every part of the UK. We thrive when we work together and I congratulate all of the groups behind these projects for their vision and aspiration to save and enhance facilities that will make such a positive difference to people’s lives.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/eEyJMmU4 👏👏👏

Today, we are proud to announce the signing of the first three contracts under Hydrogen Allocation Round 1 (HAR1), a pivotal step in our journey to Net Zero. These first of 11 Hydrogen projects under HAR1 will help fuel hard-to-abate sectors such as heavy transport and manufacturing, driving economic growth and reducing emissions. Fostering progress in key industrial regions across Britain, HAR1 represents a pivotal moment in delivering on the government's Net Zero ambitions. Together, we are helping to turn policy into action, driving forward a sustainable energy transition. Industry Minister Sarah Jones said: “On the heels of the recent launch of the UK's carbon capture and storage sector, we're moving swiftly to develop the infrastructure necessary for Net Zero while creating good jobs and developing the skills of the future. These projects are helping our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower, ensuring hydrogen will become an important part of the UK’s future energy mix.” Neil McDermott, Chief Executive at LCCC said:   "We are proud to sign the first three of these pioneering contracts under Hydrogen Allocation Round 1 (HAR1) that will enable the production of 31.8MW of low carbon hydrogen. This milestone signifies our commitment to accelerating Britain’s journey towards a Net Zero future and underscores our pivotal role in delivering transformative projects, utilising cutting-edge technology, that drives decarbonisation. We are eager to partner with our new stakeholders to deliver these groundbreaking projects." Clare Jackson, CEO at Hydrogen UK said: "Signed contracts for these first three projects is a landmark achievement for the UK hydrogen sector. It demonstrates the confidence and commitment of both Government and industry in building a sustainable hydrogen sector. We look forward to maintaining this momentum and ensuring that the remaining eight projects progress swiftly. With full focus in January, we can build on these first projects and deliver a thriving hydrogen industry which will be vital for meeting the UK’s Net Zero targets, driving economic growth, and creating jobs.” Read more here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eyrSVjn6 #HAR1 #Hydrogen #Renewableenergy #NetZero

Hundreds of skilled Scottish workers facing a worrying time over Christmas have received news today that their jobs are safe, thanks to the UK Government intervening to back a deal that will see Spanish shipbuilding company Navantia UK buy out the shipyard Harland & Wolff. The buy-out saves the jobs of 350 skilled workers at the company’s sites in Methil in Fife and Arnish in the Western Isles. Read the full story at: https://lnkd.in/dDXDH3Hv #ScotlandOffice #Defence #HarlandAndWolff #Shipbulding

Secretary of State Ian Murray has been at Harland & Wolff shipyard today in Methil in Fife. He toured the site and spoke to journalists about today’s announcement that a UK Government backed deal will save 350 skilled Scottish jobs, just in time for Christmas 🎄 Read more: https://lnkd.in/dDXDH3Hv #ScotlandOffice #Defence #HarlandAndWolff #Shipbulding

We’re determined to ensure the views and voices of disabled people are at the heart of everything we do. The Lead Ministers for Disability will play a key role in championing disability rights, as well as promoting disability inclusion and accessibility, across their department and the missions. Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms MP, convened the ministerial network’s first meeting today, where Ministers discussed key barriers to opportunity and shared their priorities for shaping a better future for disabled people of all backgrounds.

The UK Government is committed to supporting veterans and addressing historic wrongs experienced while serving in the armed forces. The recently announced £75m LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme is supporting veterans who were dismissed or discharged due to sexual orientation or gender identity. Secretary of State Ian Murray met with Kent Johnston and Craig Jones MBE, to thank them for their tireless campaigning and support to LGBT veterans. Read more and apply: https://lnkd.in/eQ_GmTKv

📣 Published today, our Clean Power Action Plan outlines how we're going to reach clean power by 2030. It's the most ambitious reform to our energy system in a generation and represents a new era of electricity planning, building and generation. Part of the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change, it focuses on getting more clean power into, and around our energy system. And outlines how we’re going to reform and speed up the way decisions are made about building and connecting our renewable energy projects to the grid. It will get us off the roller coaster of international fossil fuel markets - protecting consumers and businesses. It also sets out how we will deliver the generation and infrastructure to reach our goal - giving investors the confidence to invest, boosting supply chains and supporting new jobs. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/eAQeEXvN

HMS Spey is a Clyde-built Royal Navy warship permanently deployed in the Indo-Pacific to promote and defend British interests in the region. Secretary of State Ian Murray recently visited the ship in Singapore to meet the crew and Commander Paul Caddy, who told us more about HMS Spey and why her presence in the region matters 👇 #HMSSpey #RoyalNavy #ScotlandOffice Royal Navy

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray met with José Pascual Marco, H.E. Ambassador of Spain to the United Kingdom. The UK and Spain enjoy a close and long standing relationship 🤝 We share wide-ranging connections across defence, science, education, culture and economic links. The discussion touched on how we can deepen this relationship including trade between Scotland and Spain.