Importance of space jobs ‘cannot be overstated’, says far north MP
Jamie Stone has said the importance of high-quality jobs at the Sutherland Spaceport “cannot be overstated” against a backdrop of depopulation in the far north.
The MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross was speaking after securing a pledge from the Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray, that he will visit the site on the A’Mhoine peninsula.
Orbex, the Forres-based company behind the development and operation of the project, will use the site to launch up to 12 orbital rockets a year.
In parliament, Mr Stone explained that Orbex has a workforce of 125 and by 2030 it could employ as many as 500.
“The Sutherland Spaceport is an excellent example of a project that promises to provide high-quality jobs for local people,” the Liberal Democrat MP said.
“The importance of this cannot be overstated in the far north, where our rural communities are threatened by depopulation. That is why I am delighted that the Secretary of State for Scotland has agreed to visit the site.
“In light of the government’s Budget commitment to provide greater funding to the aerospace sector, I would like to see them take this industry seriously to ensure it can fulfil its full potential and provide the much-needed jobs that these projects promise.
“I look forward to seeing them put their money where their mouth is.”
Mr Murray pointed out that he had spoken at Space-Comm Expo Scotland in Glasgow in September and had visited the SaxaVord space project in Shetland.
He said he had met representatives of Orbex in Mr Stone’s constituency and would “continue to champion Scotland’s spaceports, including in Sutherland”.
This week, the chief executive of Highlands and Enterprise declared that the Sutherland Spaceport will be “a real prize” for the area.
Stuart Black also reported that Orbex has a “very, very positive” order book.
Speaking in Wick, where HIE held a board engagement event, Mr Black said: “The company already employs a number of people locally, but that number will grow. I think that will then create a whole bunch of supply-chain impacts.”
Mr Black also said: “There are very few places in Europe where you can launch satellites, so the interest in the Highlands and Islands is really strong.”
