Meeting of the Parliament 27 April 2023
I welcome the opportunity to speak on opportunities for the space sector in Scotland. It still surprises me how many people are unaware of the opportunities that the space sector has here. Even our own Scottish space strategy states that
“The space sector has been one of Scotland’s best-kept secrets”.
As some members might be aware, I recently launched—pardon the pun—a cross-party group on space to give MSPs and people who operate in the industry in Scotland a chance to come together to raise awareness of the importance of the space sector to the Scottish and wider UK economies; to promote the sector’s growing benefits that arise from Scottish investment in the space sector, including its pivotal role as a force for good in the global challenge to address climate change; and to encourage and strengthen Scotland’s position in the wider space industry.
I mention that in order to establish that CPG I appeared in front of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee to justify its formation. The convener of the committee referred to my “childlike enthusiasm” regarding the space sector. He was absolutely correct. Of course it is exciting, although it is still in its early days. I will seek to nurture and continue my enthusiasm. I am pleased that the CPG has continued to gain interest among my colleagues from across the chamber, combined with support that it has received from organisations in Scotland. If any member in the chamber has room for another CPG in their schedule, let it be that one.
The space sector is expanding faster here, in Scotland, than it is anywhere else in the UK. It is, reportedly, due to grow in value to £4 billion by 2030, which equates to about 20,000 jobs in the sector by that year. Scotland has planted its flag on the space industry map. As we heard, Scotland now builds more small satellites than anywhere outside California.
We have all the right components for the sector to flourish while enhancing Scotland’s economic development and contributing to meeting our net zero ambitions. It is therefore only right that the space sector has been identified as a key economic opportunity in the national strategy for economic transformation. We should take full advantage of the opportunities that the sector has to offer Scotland.
I can confidently say that the demand for the sector exists, and I am sure that my colleagues across the chamber will agree. Scotland is currently home to more than 130 companies that operate in the space sector, together with over 170 data science companies. We have heard about SaxaVord spaceport in Shetland, Space Hub Sutherland and the major investment by Mangata Networks, which is building its new hub in Scotland—a hub that will support up to 575 highly-skilled jobs.
However, I give a special mention to one of the companies that is operating in my constituency, because I want to highlight its work in the sector. Once again, I mention Skyrora, which has gained recognition locally and nationally for space sustainability and innovation. Sustainability is a key aspect of the space sector, and it is commendable that Skyrora is driving the way forward with its flagship orbital rocket Skylark L. It is designed to use a fuel mix that produces 45 per cent less CO2 emissions than most launches. The Scottish space sector shares in the collective responsibility to tackle the current climate emergency, and Skyrora, as it has demonstrated, is already innovating through use of greener fuels, lightweight materials, smart design and reusability.
It comes as no surprise that Scotland is leading the way in such an innovative sector. Our history lends itself to great scientists and inventors, and it is vital that we continue encouraging such innovation, especially among our young people. Currently, Scotland is home to 18 per cent of all UK space sector jobs, which represents just over 8,400 jobs. However, if we are to reach 20,000 jobs by 2030, we need to engage with young people on the roles and we need to find ways to upskill our existing workforce. Scotland is lacking deep tech, but the continuing success of the sector will depend on its workforce.
The University of Strathclyde in Glasgow runs the week-long Scottish space school, which is open to secondary 5 pupils in Scottish schools. It allows them to learn from some of the world’s leading figures in space travel, including NASA astronauts and engineers. The programme has been a huge success in previous years, with many pupils going on to study engineering at Strathclyde university. I would like to see the sector and our universities doing more outreach work in our primary and secondary schools. Education has the power to inspire the next generation of space industry workers.
Today’s debate focuses on the opportunities for the space sector in Scotland, but we must not dismiss the challenges that come alongside them. Like many other sectors, the space sector knows that it is no easy feat to find the right people with the right skills, and hiring conditions are becoming tougher. Scotland’s doors have always been open to the world, and they remain so, but the UK Government consistently tries to close those doors, which has depleted our recruitment pool.
ADS—the industry trade association for the sector—has called for the creation of a transferable skills catalogue to enable a larger overseas worker recruitment pool and to allow businesses to upskill and address workforce shortages far more quickly. Greater flexibility would allow workers who have a good foundation of transferable skills to apply for roles that are listed on the shortage occupation list. That list is updated only every 12 months; perhaps updating it more frequently—for example, every six months—would help to address labour market shortages more effectively. Labour markets and industries are continually changing and, with our drive to meet our net zero ambitions, different skills are demanded. It is only fair that we keep in step with those changes.
Of course, here, in Scotland, we have no remit to make the changes that are required, so I ask that the Scottish Government and the industry continue to put pressure on the UK Government to make the changes that are required in order to make the sector a huge success. It is imperative that a solution be found in order to minimise the risk of hampering Scotland’s scientific and economic progress.
The space sector is one in which we are thriving. I mentioned the fact that the sector has been one of Scotland’s best-kept secrets. Let us now celebrate the industry and the long-term prosperity that it offers to Scotland, our people and beyond.