Industry leader writes to SNP minister over new nuclear ban
The long term commitment includes a major new plant in the south of England that will create 10,000 jobs, as well as small modular reactors.
Louise Gilmour, the GMB Scotland secretary has written to Gillian Martin, MSP and Scottish energy secretary, 'to urge the Scottish Government to review its stance on blocking new nuclear'.
She said the new investment 'includes £14.2 billion for an entirely new nuclear site at Sizewell, and also £2.5bn in cutting edge small modular reactor (SMR) technologies'.
Louise Gilmour, GMB Scotland secretary. (Image: Andrew Cawley) Ms Gilmour wrote: 'Both of these investments will not just protect our energy security, but create thousands of well-paid, skilled jobs in their construction, and in the long term, hundreds of well-paid jobs in operations and research.
'A total of 10,000 jobs will be created at Sizewell alone. Where in Scotland are jobs being created at such a scale? Scotland's manufacturing base – in construction and energy – is dying.'
She continued: 'We have experienced the closure of Grangemouth in Falkirk, of Aggregate Industries in North Lanarkshire, the slashing of jobs at Tarmac in East Lothian, the trickle of job losses from the North Sea, and the yards at Methil and Arnish being brought back from the brink yet again and still there are no major renewable works in those yards
'We are now contending with the planned closure of Alexander Dennis which would be yet another blow to the Falkirk area. This is not sustainable.'
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'Amidst broken promises on a green jobs revolution, the Scottish Government cannot afford to scoff at the offering of nuclear energy on the table. An offer that would in large part be funded by the UK Government. The ban against new nuclear – especially SMRs – must be lifted.'
Gillian Martin, Scottish energy secretary. (Image: Getty Images) The union said green-lighting new mini reactors in Scotland could create thousands of skilled jobs generating hundreds of millions of pounds for surrounding communities.
Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said the government is 'investing in Britain's renewal, with the biggest nuclear building programme in a generation ... this landmark decision is our Plan for Change in action', adding: 'We are creating thousands of jobs, kickstarting economic growth and putting more money people's pockets.'
The Scottish Government declined to answer in direct response but a spokesperson said to this and earlier questions from The Herald: 'The Scottish Government is focussed on supporting growth and creating jobs by capitalising on Scotland's immense renewable energy capacity rather than expensive new nuclear energy which takes decades to build, creates toxic waste which is difficult and costly to dispose of and does not generate power at a cost that will bring down energy bills.'
The union said the nuclear industry supports around 3,700 jobs in Scotland and contributes about £400 million to the Scottish economy.
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