Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Deferred
Commit to long-term coordinated investment in Scottish space infrastructure to match sector ambition.
Recommendation
However, it is clear that the UK is falling behind its European counterparts in terms of public investment, leaving Scottish spaceports at a competitive disadvantage in a fast-moving global market. Without sustained backing from the Government—particularly in infrastructure—Scotland risks missing a generational opportunity to lead in space launch. To fully realise this potential, the UK Government needs to go further and faster. The Government must move beyond cursory support and commit to long-term coordinated investment that matches the ambition and momentum already demonstrated by the sector. (Conclusion, Paragraph 38)
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the need for sustained commitment to the Scottish launch sector and intends to set out its strategic approach in a new cross-Government space publication scheduled for 2026, which will provide clarity and direction.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
• The Government is committed to making the UK a nation that regularly launches satellites into orbit from own territory. Achieving this will enhance our national security and resilience, and deliver high-skilled jobs, investment, and growth. As home to SaxaVord Spaceport, Sutherland Spaceport, and two domestic rocket manufacturers, Orbex and Skyrora, we recognise the opportunity that Scotland’s launch sector will play in developing Government’s ambitions for launch. • Government has provided significant support to the Scottish launch sector, having invested £98m over the past seven years. Space, and launch in particular, are high-risk industries, and Government necessarily therefore takes on risk when investing in the space sector. While we back credible commercial firms in launch and other parts of the space sector, Government cannot guarantee success in building Scottish launch at any cost. • However, we recognise the need for a sustained and clear commitment from Government in an increasingly competitive landscape across Europe. Following the recent Spending Review, the Government intends to set out our strategic approach to supporting the Scottish launch sector in a new cross-Government space publication, scheduled for 2026. This will provide industry with clarity and direction it needs, in support of our ambition to become a major European launching nation.