3 months ago
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The Convenor of Scotland’s Nuclear Free Local Authorities has written to the new Secretary of State for Scotland seeking his ‘respect and understanding for devolution’, particularly for the Scottish Government’s ‘explicit policy’ of not supporting the construction of new nuclear power stations.
Councillor Paul Leinster was concerned that Scottish Secretary Ian Murray appeared not to exclude the possibility of imposing unwanted nuclear energy projects on Scotland when he was interviewed on Good Morning Scotland on 9 July. As Councillor Leinster makes plain in his letter to the minister this would be ‘against Scottish planning policy and against the will of the Scottish Government’.
The suspicion that Scotland might be under a nuclear threat has some foundations. The Labour Government is committed to establishing a new body Great British Energy with its headquarters in Scotland. Though this does have the commendable remit of generating clean, green, and cheaper energy, regrettably, in a contradictory move, the new government is committed to including nuclear in the energy mix. And following on from Andrew Bowie, it appears from a blog written by Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, that another Scottish MP, Michael Shanks, representing Rutherglen has been given the nuclear power portfolio within the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero.[1]
Despite any divergence of opinion over nuclear power, the Convenor of the Scottish NFLAs would still welcome the opportunity to work with the new Scottish Secretary on projects to increase renewable energy generation in Scotland and boost jobs in the sector; for as Cllr Leinster says: ‘I share your ambition of a constructive relationship across these islands, working together for the good of the planet and for achieving our shared climate goals’.
The NFLA Secretary has received an acknowledgement that the letter has been received and we look forward to the Secretary of State’s full response.
Ends//… For more information, please contact NFLA Secretary Richard Outram by email to richard.outram@manchester.gov.uk
The Letter to the Secretary of State reads:
The Right Hon. Ian Murray MP,
Secretary of State for Scotland
9 July 2024
enquiries@ukgovscotland.gov.uk
Dear Ian,
Congratulations on your appointment as Secretary of State for Scotland. I wish you all the best for your new role.
I welcome the anticipated investment in renewable energy which will come through the proposed vehicle of “GB Energy”, and hope this will supplement the huge amount of work which has already been carried out in Scotland to reach net zero. As you will be aware, this is an area in which Scotland already leads the UK with 97% of Scotland’s gross electricity consumption currently being generated from renewable sources. I hope that GB Energy can help the rest of the UK catch up.
However, I was concerned to hear your interview on Good Morning Scotland on Tuesday 9th July. When asked multiple times if the UK Government would impose energy projects on communities against their will, against Scottish planning policy and against the will of the Scottish Government. As you know, you repeatedly refused to rule this out.
I was particularly alarmed by the idea that new nuclear power facilities could be constructed in Scotland contrary to the Scottish Government’s explicit policy against this.
I share your ambition of a constructive relationship across these islands, working together for the good of the planet and for achieving our shared climate goals. However, fundamental to that good relationship is a respect and understanding for devolution and where powers lie, both at a national level in Scotland and at the level of local authorities and local communities.
I hope that as the plans for GB Energy advance, these relationships are respected.
Thank you for considering my letter and in anticipation of your action. Please in the first instance direct any response to me by email to richard.outram@manchester.gov.uk
Yours Sincerely,
Councillor Paul Leinster,
Convenor, Nuclear Free Local Authorities Scotland Forum
