Sarwar calls on Swinney to drop ‘ideological’ opposition to nuclear power

Anas Sarwar has called on John Swinney to drop his “ideological” opposition to nuclear power in Scotland.

The Scottish Labour leader told the First Minister his refusal to allow new nuclear power plants is costing Scotland billions in investment and thousands of jobs, which he said would go to England and Wales instead.

Speaking during First Minister’s Questions on Thursday, Sarwar said the SNP leader is “determined to let Scotland fall behind” the rest of the world.

The First Minister – whose party has a longstanding opposition to nuclear energy – said there would be no green light for new nuclear power stations in Scotland under his leadership.

It comes as the UK Government has pledged to create thousands of highly skilled jobs by reforming planning rules to make it easier to build nuclear reactors.

The Prime Minister said more nuclear power plants will be approved across England and Wales as red tape will be “slashed”.

The reforms will clear a path for so-called small modular reactors to be built for the first time in the UK, which ministers said would help to deliver clean, secure and more affordable energy.

Sarwar told Swinney his decision to block any new reactors north of the border will come at the expense of the economy.

He said: “For almost 20 years, the SNP has vetoed nuclear energy projects in Scotland, leaving jobs growth and skills to go elsewhere.

“But the next generation of small nuclear reactors could revolutionise our energy market.

“China is constructing 29 reactors, and the EU has 12 at planning stage.

“That is a huge advantage in the global race to harness new technologies to deliver cleaner, affordable, independent energy.

“So why is John Swinney determined to let Scotland fall behind?”

The First Minister said he wants to send a “clear policy signal” that his Government will “power on with renewables”.

He told MSPs: “I think investors will be really worried by the language of Mr Sarwar today because investors tell me that they know exactly where the Scottish Government stands today.

“We are right behind the renewable energy revolution, and we’re delivering that.

“Mr Sarwar, in his pursuit of the new direction, wants to muddy the waters.

“He wants to add uncertainty. He wants to scare off investment from the renewable energy industry.

“I won’t be doing that. I will be giving a clear green light to the green energy revolution in Scotland, and I will be proud of what Scotland can deliver.”

Sarwar said the First Minister could “unleash billions of pounds of investment and new jobs with the stroke of a pen”, but added: “Instead he is trapped in the politics of the 1970s.

“He wants thousands of jobs and billions in investment to go to England and Wales rather than come to Scotland, all while weakening Scotland’s energy security.