Last-ditch attempt to halt closure of ARCC at Kinloss

ARCC at Kinloss – question for First Minister

A Labour MSP is set to make a last-ditch attempt to halt the closure of the rescue coordination centre at Kinloss Barracks.

Highlands, Islands and Moray MSP David Stewart is to ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government have had with the Ministry of Defence regarding the closure of the centre.

Mr Stewart said: “I was shocked when I heard about this closure. The ARCC has been based at Kinloss since 1997 and assists on average 2000 people each year.

“This service and the staff employed at the centre have helped save thousands of lives not only in Scotland, but across the UK.”

“I was involved with the RAF myself as part of the Armed Forces Parliamentarian Scheme and have strong ties with the RAF, locally when they were at Kinloss and more recently at RAF Lossiemouth.

“For the expertise at the ARCC based at Kinloss to now move to Fareham doesn’t make sense to me.”

Adding that the move would affect 27 RAF posts and 10 Civilian roles at the Moray base, he questioned if staff would wish to move even if that option was made to them.

He continued: “I will be asking the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government have had with the Ministry of Defence regarding the closure of the ARCC at Kinloss.”

The Ministry of Defence announced last week that the ARCC at Kinloss would close with all operations switched to the National Maritime Operations Centre in Hampshire.

Leave a comment