SNP pan 'white elephants' as Labour commit £14bn to Sizewell C nuclear
It comes as Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed a £14.2 billion UK Government investment in the Sizewell C nuclear power station in Sussex.
The nuclear plant is expected to take between nine and 12 years to build and cost around £20bn, according to initial estimates from 2020.
Reports in January said that industry insiders thought the true figure had risen to £40bn, but the UK Government insisted it did not recognise that number.
READ MORE: SNP MSP urges membership to back John Swinney as leader despite by-election loss
The investment in Sizewell C came alongside Reeves naming Rolls-Royce as the preferred bidder to build small modular reactors (SMRs) in a programme backed by a further £2.5bn of taxpayers' cash.
The Chancellor will use Wednesday's spending review to allocate tens of billions of funding for major infrastructure projects over the rest of the decade.
Labour are leaning towards nuclear plants as they try to decarbonise the UK energy grid by 2030. The last time Britain completed one was in 1987, which was the Sizewell B plant.
The SNP oppose nuclear power in Scotland, and the party's energy spokesperson at Westminster Dave Doogan accused the UK Government of pouring money into 'white elephants'.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves and SNP MP Dave Doogan (Image: UK Parliament) The party said Labour were 'treating Scotland as an afterthought because of its prioritisation of English industries with a litany of investments made south of the Border over Scotland'.
The SNP added: 'In total, since coming to office last year, the Labour Party has now committed £36bn to nuclear and carbon capture projects in England, whilst the Acorn Project has been forced to live with Labour's warm words, but not a penny of commitment.'
Doogan said: "Yet more billions has been committed to English nuclear projects, yet we have no investment in the Acorn Carbon Capture project, Grangemouth has been shut down and Westminster's fiscal regime has ruined North-East energy jobs – Scotland isn't just an afterthought, it's barely a thought at all.
READ MORE: Labour 'left us to see winter fuel U-turn on social media', SNP minister says
"The evidence is clear that nuclear is extortionate, takes decades to build and the toxic waste is a risk to local communities – Scotland's future is in renewables, carbon capture and links to Europe, not more money for white elephants.
"It is absurd that energy rich Scotland is home to fuel poor Scots and that while energy bills go up, Scottish energy jobs are going down – that's directly as a consequence of Westminster policy and the further squandering of cash on expensive nuclear won't change that.
'Only the SNP firmly believe money from Scotland's natural resources should benefit Scotland's people – something that's an alien concept to Scottish Labour MPs who cheer on investment in England at the expense of Scottish industry."
The UK Government has been approached for comment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
12 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Council tax bills set to rise at fastest rate 20 years after Rachel Reeves spending review, economist warns
This comes despite Reeves insisting she wouldn't need to raise taxes to fund her spending review TAX BLOW Council tax bills set to rise at fastest rate 20 years after Rachel Reeves spending review, economist warns COUNCIL tax bills are expected to increase at their fastest rate in 20 years following Rachel Reeves' spending review. This prediction comes from Paul Johnson, the head of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS). Advertisement 1 In England, local authorities can increase council tax by up to 4.99% each April without holding a referendum Credit: Getty Johnson said that local government in England received "perhaps a little bit better than it might have expected" from the Chancellor's statement on Wednesday. However, he warned of a "sting in the tail" - the assumption that council tax bills will rise by 5% annually as part of the funding plan. The core spending power of councils is set to increase by 2.6% a year from next year, and "if English councils do choose 5% increases – and most almost certainly will – council tax bills look set to rise at their fastest rate over any parliament since 2001-05", Johnson said. On Wednesday, Ms Reeves said that ministers will not be "going above" the 5% annual increases in council tax. Advertisement She told ITV: "The previous government increased council tax by 5% a year, and we have stuck to that. We won't be going above that. "That is the council tax policy that we inherited from the previous government, and that we will be continuing." The NHS was the biggest winner from Wednesday's announcement, which allocated £300billion to public services. Its budget will increase by £29billion a year in real terms. Advertisement Billions of pounds was also allocated to regional infrastructure projects, £39 billion was set aside for social housing, and defence spending was confirmed to increase by £11billion. The Home Office will get less money in the coming years, even though there are promises to hire more police officers and reduce crime. How to challenge your council tax band Treasury documents reveal that Home Office spending will drop by 1.4% per year between 2025-26 and 2028-29, one of the largest cuts among departments. However, Reeves stated that police spending power would still rise by 2.3%, potentially through increased council tax, though the exact amount is unclear. Advertisement Johnson said yesterday on X (formerly Twitter): "Note wording on police funding. Increase in 'spending power' implies that higher precepts from local taxes will play their part." Ruth Curtice, head of the Resolution Foundation, echoed this view. She pointed out that low and middle-income families had gained from the spending review, with the poorest fifth getting an average of £1,700 extra for services like schools, hospitals, and the police. However, she warned that without economic growth, more tax rises could be on the way this autumn to balance the books. Advertisement This comes after the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that the economy shrank more than expected in April, marking the biggest drop in 18 months. GDP dropped by 0.3%, driven by a sharp decline in manufacturing and a record fall in exports to the US after tariff hikes by President Donald Trump. Speaking after delivering her spending review yesterday, Ms Reeves insisted she would not have to raise taxes to cover her spending review. What council tax support is available? By James Flanders, Chief Consumer Reporter There are several ways you can get discounts and reductions on your council tax bill. In some cases, you can even get the bill completely wiped with a council tax reduction. Factors such as your household income, whether you have children, and if you receive any benefits, will influence what you get. To apply, visit here. You'll need your National Insurance number, bank statements, a recent payslip or letter from the Jobcentre, and a passport or driving licence when filling out the details. Below, we reveal all the ways you can get discounts or a reduction on your bill: Single person discount If you live on your own, you can get 25% off your council tax bill. This also applies if there is one adult and one student living together, or one adult and one person classed as severely mentally impaired. If you live with someone who doesn't have to pay council tax, such as a carer or someone who is severely mentally impaired, you could get a larger reduction too, of up to 50%. And, if you live in an all-student household, you could get a 100% discount. Retirees Pensioners may also find themselves eligible for a council tax reduction. If you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you may not have to pay a penny. If not, you could still get help if you have a low income and less than £16,000 in savings. And a pensioner who lives alone will be entitled to a 25% discount too. Low-income households If you are on a low income or receiving benefits, you could be eligible for a reduction on your council tax, depending on where you live. You could also get a deferral if you're struggling to pay your bill, or you can speak to your council about setting up a payment plan to manage the cost. But one thing to remember is if you are struggling you should contact your council as early as you can. How are council tax bills calculated? In England, local authorities can increase council tax by up to 4.99% each April without holding a referendum. Advertisement This is broken down into a 2.99% increase for general spending and a 2% precept for adult social care. Any increase above this 4.99% limit requires a local referendum to gain public approval. In areas governed by 'two-tier authorities', where responsibilities are divided between two councils, your council tax bill is split into two charges - one set by your county council and another determined by your district, borough, or city council. The proportion of your bill allocated to each council varies depending on the authority, though county councils typically claim the largest share. Advertisement District councils are permitted to increase their portion of the charge by up to 3% annually without the need for a referendum However, these charges have been excluded from our dataset. In addition to the above charges, your council tax also includes contributions towards local police and crime commissioners, fire and rescue services, as well as any applicable town or parish council charges. Councils typically finalise their council tax increases by early March, with the new rates coming into effect from April 1. Advertisement Check if you can claim a council tax refund Over three million households are owed a combined total of £544million in council tax refunds, according to a Sun investigation. The average refund due is around £178, but some could be owed as much as £3,659. Sun Money submitted a Freedom of Information Request to all 349 local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales to find out just how much taxpayer money our councils are sitting on. You can check to see how much cash your local authority might be sitting on by searching for your council in our tool. Advertisement It's surprisingly easy to overpay your council tax, and millions of us do. One of the main reasons is moving house. Council tax is usually billed annually from April to April, but paid in instalments, which means you're always paying some in advance. Therefore, if you move out before the year's end, you'll likely be due a refund for the remaining months. Advertisement Another reason for overpayments is a change in your property's council tax band. If the band is lowered, you're due a refund for the over payments made at the higher rate. Finally, forgetting to cancel your direct debit after moving out can lead to continued payments and further overpayments. Finding out if you're owed a council tax refund is easier than you think. Advertisement Many councils have online claim forms available on their website. To find your local council's site, visit here. You can also contact them directly by phone, email, or live chat.
The Sun
12 minutes ago
- The Sun
Council tax bills set to rise at fastest rate 20 years after Rachel Reeves spending review, economist warns
COUNCIL tax bills are expected to increase at their fastest rate in 20 years following Rachel Reeves' spending review. This prediction comes from Paul Johnson, the head of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS). Johnson said that local government in England received "perhaps a little bit better than it might have expected" from the Chancellor's statement on Wednesday. However, he warned of a "sting in the tail" - the assumption that council tax bills will rise by 5% annually as part of the funding plan. The core spending power of councils is set to increase by 2.6% a year from next year, and "if English councils do choose 5% increases – and most almost certainly will – council tax bills look set to rise at their fastest rate over any parliament since 2001-05", Johnson said. On Wednesday, Ms Reeves said that ministers will not be "going above" the 5% annual increases in council tax. She told ITV: "The previous government increased council tax by 5% a year, and we have stuck to that. We won't be going above that. "That is the council tax policy that we inherited from the previous government, and that we will be continuing." The NHS was the biggest winner from Wednesday's announcement, which allocated £300billion to public services. Its budget will increase by £29billion a year in real terms. Billions of pounds was also allocated to regional infrastructure projects, £39 billion was set aside for social housing, and defence spending was confirmed to increase by £11billion. The Home Office will get less money in the coming years, even though there are promises to hire more police officers and reduce crime. How to challenge your council tax band Treasury documents reveal that Home Office spending will drop by 1.4% per year between 2025-26 and 2028-29, one of the largest cuts among departments. However, Reeves stated that police spending power would still rise by 2.3%, potentially through increased council tax, though the exact amount is unclear. Johnson said yesterday on X (formerly Twitter): "Note wording on police funding. Increase in 'spending power' implies that higher precepts from local taxes will play their part." Ruth Curtice, head of the Resolution Foundation, echoed this view. She pointed out that low and middle-income families had gained from the spending review, with the poorest fifth getting an average of £1,700 extra for services like schools, hospitals, and the police. However, she warned that without economic growth, more tax rises could be on the way this autumn to balance the books. This comes after the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that the economy shrank more than expected in April, marking the biggest drop in 18 months. GDP dropped by 0.3%, driven by a sharp decline in manufacturing and a record fall in exports to the US after tariff hikes by President Donald Trump. Speaking after delivering her spending review yesterday, Ms Reeves insisted she would not have to raise taxes to cover her spending review. What council tax support is available? By James Flanders, Chief Consumer Reporter There are several ways you can get discounts and reductions on your council tax bill. In some cases, you can even get the bill completely wiped with a council tax reduction. Factors such as your household income, whether you have children, and if you receive any benefits, will influence what you get. To apply, visit here. You'll need your National Insurance number, bank statements, a recent payslip or letter from the Jobcentre, and a passport or driving licence when filling out the details. Below, we reveal all the ways you can get discounts or a reduction on your bill: Single person discount If you live on your own, you can get 25% off your council tax bill. This also applies if there is one adult and one student living together, or one adult and one person classed as severely mentally impaired. If you live with someone who doesn't have to pay council tax, such as a carer or someone who is severely mentally impaired, you could get a larger reduction too, of up to 50%. And, if you live in an all-student household, you could get a 100% discount. Retirees Pensioners may also find themselves eligible for a council tax reduction. If you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you may not have to pay a penny. If not, you could still get help if you have a low income and less than £16,000 in savings. And a pensioner who lives alone will be entitled to a 25% discount too. Low-income households If you are on a low income or receiving benefits, you could be eligible for a reduction on your council tax, depending on where you live. You could also get a deferral if you're struggling to pay your bill, or you can speak to your council about setting up a payment plan to manage the cost. But one thing to remember is if you are struggling you should contact your council as early as you can. How are council tax bills calculated? In England, local authorities can increase council tax by up to 4.99% each April without holding a referendum. This is broken down into a 2.99% increase for general spending and a 2% precept for adult social care. Any increase above this 4.99% limit requires a local referendum to gain public approval. In areas governed by 'two-tier authorities', where responsibilities are divided between two councils, your council tax bill is split into two charges - one set by your county council and another determined by your district, borough, or city council. The proportion of your bill allocated to each council varies depending on the authority, though county councils typically claim the largest share. District councils are permitted to increase their portion of the charge by up to 3% annually without the need for a referendum However, these charges have been excluded from our dataset. In addition to the above charges, your council tax also includes contributions towards local police and crime commissioners, fire and rescue services, as well as any applicable town or parish council charges. Councils typically finalise their council tax increases by early March, with the new rates coming into effect from April 1. Check if you can claim a council tax refund Over three million households are owed a combined total of £544million in council tax refunds, according to a Sun investigation. The average refund due is around £178, but some could be owed as much as £3,659. Sun Money submitted a Freedom of Information Request to all 349 local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales to find out just how much taxpayer money our councils are sitting on. You can check to see how much cash your local authority might be sitting on by searching for your council in our tool. It's surprisingly easy to overpay your council tax, and millions of us do. One of the main reasons is moving house. Council tax is usually billed annually from April to April, but paid in instalments, which means you're always paying some in advance. Therefore, if you move out before the year's end, you'll likely be due a refund for the remaining months. Another reason for overpayments is a change in your property's council tax band. If the band is lowered, you're due a refund for the over payments made at the higher rate. Finally, forgetting to cancel your direct debit after moving out can lead to continued payments and further overpayments. Finding out if you're owed a council tax refund is easier than you think. Many councils have online claim forms available on their website. To find your local council's site, visit here. You can also contact them directly by phone, email, or live chat.
Scottish Sun
12 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Fed-up fathers join world's first ‘Dad Strike' demanding better UK paternity leave
Families across the UK are campaigning for better paternity leave Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DOZENS of fed-up dads yesterday joined forces outside the Scottish Parliament to demand for better paternity leave. It was the world's first "Dad Strike", with families protesting outside Holyrood and Westminster. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The Dad Shift paternal leave policy change in the UK Credit: ELeanor Pugsley The UK's statutory paternity leave is the worst in Europe. Currently, fathers and second parents get up to two weeks off work at less than half the minimum wage - £187.18 a week. Statutory leave is not given to self-employed fathers or those earning less than £123 a week. The campaign group behind the strike, the Dad Shift, wants better paternity leave in the UK, arguing 'two weeks isn't enough'. It has already gotten the support of over 40 Labour MPs. Greg Borthwick, a father of two, works for Dads Rock - a Scottish charity that provides support for dads. He said: 'Two weeks isn't enough. "We've known it's not been enough for so long now. It's better for dads, it's better for mums, it's better for everyone.' 4 Dads Rock's Greg Borthwick and toddler at the protest Credit: Eleanor Pugsley Standing at his feet is his second child, a young toddler, holding a picket sign that is the same size as her. 'I made use of the Shared Parental Leave policy. I had to take out a loan to afford to do that for three months, to spend time with my kid.' 'My wife had to go back to work during that period. It took time with the kids away from her. Mums issue stark warning about 'dark Peppa Pig' videos going viral on YouTube set out to target and terrify your kids 'We shouldn't have to share our parental leave. We should have our own.' The Shared Parental Leave policy allows parents to split 50 weeks of maternity leave between them. The Dad Shift campaign wants paternity leave that is substantial, affordable and equal. It believes both parents should have equal leave, paid at an affordable rate, with enough time for dads to support their partner and bond with their kids. It wasn't just fathers at the picket line, mothers were holding their banners and chanting - louder than some of the dads. 4 'It is mothers that pay the price" Credit: Eleanor Pugsley 'At the end of the day, the parental leave system is abysmal,' said a representative from the Pregnant Then Screwed charity. They added: 'It is mothers that pay the price when there isn't enough paternity leave. 'Two weeks isn't even enough time for someone to recover from a cesarean.' Kevin Kane, CEO of Shared Parenting Scotland - which helps couples going through separation or divorce, was also on the picket line. Parental leave is a 'common theme' on their helpline according to Mr Kane. He said: 'Scotland is falling behind, the UK is falling behind. 'Most people want to pull together to support the child. If they aren't able to do that, they get frustrated. That's a fault of the system. 'If we can get a more equitable distribution of the load of parenting at an early stage of a child's life, then we can make progress towards shared parenting being more normalised in Scotland.' 'For mums and dads and children, I want them to have the same opportunity to look after their children. There are models for that around the world.' In France working dads get 28 days of paid parental leave. While in Sweden, fathers are entitled to 90 days of paid time off work and spanish dads can get 16 weeks of full time leave. 4 Parental leave is a 'common theme' on Scottish helpines Credit: Eleanor Pugsley A report published this week by the Women and Equalities Committee said paternity leave rules 'entrench outdated gender stereotypes' and were 'completely out of kilter with the cost of living'. The cross-party group of MPs has urged the government to consider increasing paternity pay to 90% or more and leave to six weeks. Labour previously said they will review paternity leave within their first year in office.
