Overview

• Defence Secretary John Healey will confirm at the Labour conference that £2.5 million is being provided for the Welding Development Facility in Glasgow.
• The UK Government says it worked with Scottish Labour and Rolls‑Royce to secure the £11 million project, which is intended to train the next generation of shipbuilders.
• Scottish Enterprise had signalled the project was ineligible under an SNP policy on weapons‑related funding, while the Scottish Government says no formal application from Malin was received.
• First Minister John Swinney has lifted the funding ban but attached strict end‑use conditions that industry sources warn could be difficult for smaller suppliers to satisfy.
• Backers say the centre will develop advanced welding techniques to improve efficiency and cut emissions while supporting jobs across the Clyde, Rosyth and Methil.