Scottish government urged to lift ban on new nuclear reactors

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The Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) made the plea as it pointed to figures that suggest the move to build new nuclear reactors in England has created 47,492 jobs since 2014, doubling the workforce to 94,836, compared with the 13.4 per cent increase — to 5,583 — in Scotland over the same period.

Tom Greatrex, NIA chief executive and former Labour MP, said: “Scotland deserves the same jobs and investment that new nuclear projects are bringing to England and Wales, and Scottish young people deserve the same opportunities.”

Calling for the Scottish government to “look at nuclear energy with clear eyes and an open mind,” GMB Scotland energy sector organiser Claire Greer said: “Constructing nuclear plants south of the border is helping the UK towards net zero while creating tens of thousands of skilled, well-paid jobs.

“Communities around new plants in England will enjoy those economic benefits and their young people an unparalleled opportunity to begin skilled, well-paid careers but in Scotland we are not even having the discussion.”

UK Minister for Local Energy and Jobs Martin McCluskey meanwhile said he was “determined to work with the Scottish government to make sure Scotland benefits from the UK’s golden age of nuclear.”

But in Ayrshire, home to two nuclear reactors in decommissioning at Hunterston, local Scottish CND chair Arthur West questioned the UK government’s real motives.

“Nuclear power is a technology which is dangerous and expensive,” he said. “Nuclear power also places a burden on future generations who will have to deal with the environmental  hazards from radioactive waste.

“Research by CND shows that there is also an unbreakable connection between civil nuclear energy and military nuclear programmes.

“Frankly the Scottish government are taking a sensible view by maintaining their opposition to nuclear power.”

Making clear there would be no shift, a Scottish government spokesperson responded: “New renewable energy projects are faster to deliver and we have seen elsewhere in the UK how the costs of major nuclear projects can spiral.

“Scottish ministers remain focused on developing Scotland’s renewable energy potential, which is already securing jobs, investment and economic growth across the country.”

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