Anas Sarwar slams SNP over ‘ideological block’ on nuclear power

Labour is vowing to end the SNP’s “ideological block” on new nuclear power stations in Scotland – with Anas Sarwar insisting this is costing jobs and leaving households with higher energy bills.

With energy issues to the fore in the Holyrood election campaign, the Scottish Labour leader will highlight his party’s support for nuclear power.

The issue is a key dividing line between Labour and the SNP, who are staunchly opposed to the construction of any new nuclear stations in Scotland.

But with the conflict in the Gulf causing volatility in the oil and gas sector, Mr Sarwar said: “In an uncertain world we need leaders who’ll deliver on the security for Scotland, not student politicians leaving Scots vulnerable to tyrants abroad.”

He hit out as his SNP rival John Swinney, who has been vocal in his criticism of US president Donald Trump for his attacks against Iran, with the Scottish Labour leader claiming the “truth is John Swinney would rather tweet his outrage at chaos abroad than take simple steps to protect Scots from the cost of it”.

Mr Sarwar insisted: “The SNP have chosen misinformation and scaremongering on nuclear power – leaving Scotland with less energy security, higher bills and fewer jobs.

“Scotland needs change after 20 years of SNP government.

“The global race for clean power, jobs and investment is on, and once again Scotland is being held back by SNP ideology.

“That is not good enough.

“I’m standing to fix the mess, get the basics right and build a better future for Scotland.

“That means ending the SNP’s ideological block on nuclear power, backing Scottish jobs, strengthening our energy security and making sure we have the reliable energy supply to bring down bills over the long term.”

The SNP’s Jackie Dunbar, who is standing for the Aberdeen Donside seat at Holyrood, however insisted: “Labour have zero credibility on energy.

“Energy bills have soared despite the promises of the Labour Party, while jobs in our energy sector have been lost on an industrial scale.”

Ms Dunbar said: “The evidence is clear that nuclear power is extortionate, takes decades to build and the toxic waste is a risk to local communities – Scotland’s future is in renewables not more money for nuclear plants we don’t need.

“Despite yet more billions being committed to nuclear projects in England, we still have no investment in the Acorn Carbon Capture project, Grangemouth was shut down and Labour’s tax on Scotland’s energy has ruined north-east energy jobs – where was Anas Sarwar then?”

Ms Dunbar vowed: “The SNP will never inflict costly nuclear power on Scottish households, but this is yet more evidence that Westminster is not working for Scotland.”

However Tom Greatrex, chief executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, said that Mr Sarwar was “right to back nuclear as part of Scotland’s energy future”.

Mr Greatrex said: “Nuclear is key to getting us out of gas crises, providing reliable clean power while supporting jobs and investment.

“Recent polling shows nuclear is now Scotland’s most popular energy source, reflecting growing support for a pragmatic, commonsense clean energy policy.

“Stations like Torness are already delivering, cutting around £2 billion from electricity costs since the gas crisis. The case for nuclear in Scotland is clear.”