SCOTLAND’S trade union movement called on SNP ministers today to establish a Defence Diversification Agency to promote a “fair and sustainable shift” away from nuclear weapons.

A motion passed at the Scottish TUC’s annual congress said the “main focus” of such a body “would be planning and resourcing the diversification of jobs away from defence projects, such as Trident replacement.”

Proposing the motion, Kilmarnock and Loudoun Trades Union Council delegate Arthur West said: “There’s a body of work [on defence diversification] there that needs to be built on, but it does require continued engagement from the trade union movement.”