Commenting, Martin Whitfield MSP said:
“As Anas highlighted at FMQs, for almost 20 years the SNP have blocked nuclear energy projects in Scotland – meaning jobs, growth and skills have gone elsewhere. This senseless policy is harming our energy security and hampering our ability to deliver on Scotland’s climate change commitments.
“If we don’t act soon to end this ideological opposition, Scotland will lose its nuclear energy capacity entirely, damaging jobs and the economy in East Lothian. A Scottish Labour Government will end the block on new nuclear, delivering zero carbon nuclear energy, kickstarting economic growth and bringing significant investment into East Lothian and the rest of Scotland.”
Douglas Alexander MP said:
“East Lothian has benefited greatly from nuclear power over the last 40 years. However, with Torness approaching the end of its lifespan, we are at risk of missing out on the benefits of the next generation of nuclear facilities, including the high skilled, well-paid jobs and apprenticeships, and all the new investment this would involve.
“Small modular reactors (SMRs) have the potential to revolutionise our energy market, boosting jobs and our energy security. We have the ideal site and the skills and expertise to accommodate SMRs here in East Lothian but will only reap the benefits if we end the SNP’s out of date hostility to this zero carbon energy.”