£90 million handed over through enterprise funding to aerospace, defence, marine and space companies since 2006.
The next Scottish parliament has a responsibility to ensure that Scotland’s economy strategy reflects the values of human rights, international law, peace and social justice.
Scotland stands at a crossroads. At a time of climate crisis, rising inequality, pressure on public services alongside global instability and genocide, public money and policy must be used to build a fair, sustainable and peaceful economy.
Yet millions of pounds of public money continue to be distributed to multi-billion pound arms companies through public agencies, while these same companies profit from global conflict, militarisation and arms exports to countries accused of serious human rights violations.
At the same time, arms companies are given unrestricted access to classrooms, universities and public institutions, embedding the arms industry within Scotland’s economy and education system. This is not an inevitable economic model, but a political choice.
We have put together key demands and policy recommendations for the next Scottish Parliament with practical steps the next Scottish government can take using its existing powers over economic development, public funding, education, procurement and investment.
- End funding for war and genocide
- Introduce real human rights due diligence
- Partner with communities, not death merchants
- No war in our classrooms
- Implement Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS)
