THE Scottish Government and a significant proportion of Scots are firmly opposed to nuclear weapons. Yet new research shows that local government pension funds, along with universities and financial institutions, together invest billions of pounds in companies that are involved in their production, maintenance and delivery systems. The new publication Working To Eliminate Nuclear Weapons Through Divestment: A Guide For Scotland, shows that nine local authority pension funds together hold shares worth nearly £300 million in 14 nuclear weapons companies. Lothian Pension Fund has the largest amount, £159m, invested in six such companies, including the world’s biggest weapons manufacturer Lockheed Martin. Strathclyde’s has £89m invested in seven companies that undertake work related to Trident, plus four other major producers.
The National 20th Sept 2018 read more »