Latest news with #LouiseGilmour
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
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.' READ MORE: '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.
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
SNP ban on nuclear energy is ‘abdication of responsibility'
Today, we exclusively reveal the industry response in the week that the UK Government announced it would create 10,000 jobs with £14 billion-plus investment in a new-era nuclear plant in England. It prompted an angry response from the GMB Scotland union which has written to the Scottish energy secretary calling for a change in stance. Torness, East Lothian. (Image: Getty Images) Louise Gilmour, GMB Scotland secretary, said it is 'beyond time for SNP ministers to exploit the potential of new nuclear energy to achieve net zero and create jobs'. She said: 'New nuclear can help provide a baseload of safe, clean and secure energy while creating thousands of skilled, well-paid, unionised jobs in Scotland. 'The Holyrood government's absolute refusal to seriously consider its potential is an abdication of responsibility and needs to change. 'It makes no sense if ministers want to achieve net zero targets and it makes no sense if they want Scotland's economy to grow again.' The nuclear industry supports almost 3,700 jobs in Scotland adding £400 million to the economy but Ms Gilmour said that is 'only a fraction of the potential economic benefits if the Scottish Government reverses its ban on new nuclear power'. She has urged ministers to trigger an immediate review of future options. READ MORE: 'We need new nuclear to deliver a golden age of clean energy abundance, because that is the only way to protect family finances, take back control of our energy, and tackle the climate crisis. 'This is the Government's clean energy mission in action, investing in lower bills and good jobs for energy security.' A spokesperson also said: 'The announcement comes as the UK Government is set to confirm one of Europe's first Small Modular Reactor programmes. This comes alongside record investment in R&D for fusion energy, worth over £2.5bn over five years. Taken together with Sizewell C, this delivers the biggest nuclear building programme in a generation.' Ms Gilmour wrote to Gillian Martin, Scottish energy secretary: 'A total of 10,000 jobs will be created at Sizewell alone. Where in Scotland are jobs being created at such a scale?' I reported this week that among the Labour government's plans is the redevelopment of a major nuclear base in Scotland. It signals a 'multi-decade' commitment to the site where around 6,500 people work. The UK Government plans a multi-billion-pound redevelopment of His Majesty's Naval Base (HMNB) Clyde. An initial £250 million of funding will be made over three years which will help support 'jobs, skills and growth' at Faslane, the Royal Navy's main presence in Scotland. Westminster said that the "Clyde 2070 programme represents one of the most significant and sustained UK Government investments in Scotland over the coming decades". A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "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."
Daily Record
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Alexander Dennis closure risks leaving communities 'hollowed out' as union calls for public ownership
EXCLUSIVE: The GMB warned repeated job losses across Scotland's manufacturing sector risks leaving communities "hollowed out". A trade union has called for a Scots bus manufacturer to be nationalised if a rescue deal cannot be agreed to prevent 400 job losses. Alexander Dennis Ltd (ADL) announced last week plans to shutter its two factories in Camelon and Larbert and centralise its operations in Yorkshire. The move would bring an end to more than 100 years of bus building in the Falkirk district and comes just weeks after the closure of the oil refinery in nearby Grangemouth. The GMB trade union has today warned that repeated job losses across Scotland's manufacturing sector risks leaving communities "hollowed out". Louise Gilmour, the union's Scottish secretary, branded the threatened closure "absurd" given the demand for more environmentally friendly vehicles. John Swinney last week blamed strict procurement rules on state subsidy on why the Scottish Government was not able to place more orders with the Falkirk-based firm. ADL recently completed work on more than 160 new buses for the Greater Manchester combined authority, which brought bus services back under public control. But buses remain privatised across Scotland - meaning companies can choose to order cheaper imports from China instead of ordering from the UK. In a letter to Swinney and Ian Murray, the Scottish Secretary, Gilmour warned communities were being "hammered". She said: "It is absurd that a country with a bus network as extensive as Scotland's is not able to sustain its only bus manufacturer. "In the long term, procurement rules must be reviewed placing a clear and considerable preference on domestic manufacturing. An industrial strategy which mandates domestic manufacturing content is also needed. "Both governments have a role in delivering this. The public ownership of Scotland's bus networks to place this emphasis in procurement must now be fast tracked. "However, the short-term future of the sites must be secured urgently. Promises of leaving no stone unturned have been heard by our members before. "Our members do not need warm words. They need a strategy with a backbone. If required, the public ownership of the site must be an option." The union chief also said the GMB had written to ADL last month with an offer to work together to secure the Scottish sites, which was rejected by the firm. She added: "The planned closure of these sites are in addition to job losses at Tarmac in East Lothian and the closure of Aggregate Industries in North Lanarkshire as both companies seek to move operations to England. "It also follows the closure of Grangemouth. So not only is Scotland's manufacturing base being hollowed out, these losses are hammering communities in the Falkirk area. "Our members have seen contract after contract for buses go overseas. Our buses are built in China whilst our ferries are built in Poland. They have seen more orders from Manchester local authorities than they have from Scotland. "It is not party political to point this out – it is a fact and a reflection of the clear failures to heed warnings from trade unions. It has only been a few months since Scottish jobs were lost from Alexander Dennis. This should have been foreseen and prevented." The Record asked the Scottish and UK Governments for comment.
Scotsman
5 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Scottish Government must embrace opportunities of nuclear energy, GMB Scotland say
The UK Government announced new nuclear projects on Tuesday Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Scottish Government must end its opposition to nuclear power to help cut emissions and boost the economy, GMB Scotland has claimed. The union, one of the biggest in the energy sector, urged Holyrood ministers to end their opposition to nuclear power after the UK Government announced £14 billion investment in a new plant at Sizewell C. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Louise Gilmour, GMB Scotland secretary, argued there was huge potential in new nuclear energy to achieve net zero and create jobs, and the SNP must embrace it. She said: 'New nuclear can help provide a baseload of safe, clean and secure energy while creating thousands of skilled, well-paid, unionised jobs in Scotland. 'The Holyrood government's absolute refusal to seriously consider its potential is an abdication of responsibility and needs to change. 'It makes no sense if ministers want to achieve net zero targets and it makes no sense if they want Scotland's economy to grow again.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The nuclear industry supports almost 3700 jobs in Scotland adding £400 million to the economy, but Ms Gilmour said that is only a fraction of the potential economic benefits if the Scottish Government reverses its ban on new nuclear power. She has now written to energy minister Gillian Martin detailing how new nuclear reactors can help cut emissions while pouring hundreds of millions of pounds into the economy and urging ministers to start planning a new future for Hunterston and Torness. Ms Gilmour added: 'The potential of new nuclear energy cannot be ignored any longer. Scotland has wasted too much time already.' Speaking on Tuesday, the Prime Minister claimed a 'change of mindset' on nuclear would help free the UK from reliance on international fossil fuel markets and prevent price spikes such as those in the wake of Russian president Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Speaking at a college in Ipswich, Sir Keir said: 'The last reactor was 1995, 30 years ago, and I think that was Sizewell B. 'So here, to put this down today, is really important. It's not just an important decision for the future, it's a change of mindset. 'No more dithering, no more delay, no more being unclear about what we're going to do, a real statement of intent as we go forward.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (centre), Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar (right) and Ed Miliband, Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary (left), during a visit to St Fergus Gas Terminal, a clean power facility in AberdeenshirePicture: Jeff J Mitchell/PA Wire He added: 'Having our own energy in this country that we control, gives us security, gives us independence, so Putin can't put his boot on our throat. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'And it means that we can control the prices in a way that we haven't been able to in recent years, which has meant very high prices for businesses, for households and for families.' It comes as energy security minister Michael Shanks revealed Labour would end the block on nuclear projects in Scotland, if they win the Holyrood election. Writing in The Scotsman, the Rutherglen MP said: 'A Scottish Labour Government, led by Anas Sarwar, will reverse the decades-long block on new nuclear projects in Scotland. 'The decisions by the SNP have held Scotland back, delaying our clean energy future and costing communities the jobs and investment they need. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'With this historic investment today, and a new Labour government in Bute House in 2026, we can end this historic intransigence, build a clean power system that will deliver energy security, good jobs and growth, and tackle the climate crisis. 'That's what Labour's clean energy mission is all about.' SNP energy spokesman Dave Doogan MP said: 'If Michael Shanks and his Scottish Labour colleagues were serious about backing Scotland's energy sector then they'd fully invest in Acorn carbon capture, they'd ditch the fiscal regime which is destroying jobs in the North East and they wouldn't have allowed the Grangemouth doors to slam shut. "The Labour Government has now committed some £36bn to England's energy sector without a penny for Scottish carbon capture, the single key project to our Just Transition and energy security - that tells Scottish voters everything they need to know about Scottish Labour MPs which cheer on investment in England at the expense of Scottish industry.
Scotsman
5 days ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
SNP ministers' stance on defence is incoherent - they need to either help or get out of the way
The SNP must get behind defence investment - or get out of the way, writes the GMB's Louise Gilmour. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... It is not, as John Healey suggested, student union politics. It is a lot worse than that. Describing the refusal of SNP ministers to support a specialist welding school on the Clyde because the skills taught there will help build nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Navy, the UK defence secretary correctly suggested it is not the decision of a serious government. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Vanguard-class submarine HMS Vigilant, one of the UK's four nuclear warhead-carrying submarines, at HM Naval Base Clyde | PA It is not serious and neither is it a matter of principle as Mairi Gougeon, the party's rural affairs minister, insisted as she tried to explain how her Cabinet colleagues understood the need for our armed forces, but could not, in good conscience, arm them. Even ignoring the millions of pounds of public money awarded to multinational arms companies by Scottish Enterprise, SNP ministers' insistence that someone should defend our country, just not them, is incoherent verging on the embarrassing. Student politicians had every right to be offended by Healey's comparison. The SNP policy, if that's what they like to call it, is an abdication of responsibility not just for the security of our country, but for its jobs, skills, prosperity and future. This is not just about defence, it is about industry, about manufacturing and engineering. It is about our country and its workers gaining the skills and expertise to build things. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ministers clambering onto the high ground and holding their nose while refusing the chance to help young working-class Scots thrive can tell each other they are being principled, but other words are available. Hypocritical, for example. Myopic, for another. Self-harming, for the set. The skills learned at the Rolls Royce welding school – and at other companies across the defence sector – will support young workers for the rest of their lives, get them good, well-paid jobs, allow them to buy cars and homes, build families, pay taxes and get on. Our defence companies invent, innovate and, literally, create the jobs of tomorrow. From computers and the internet to canned food and stainless steel, the list of technological advances pioneered by the military, but now underpinning our civilian life is endless. These young people might work in defence projects all their lives, whether making ships and planes or munitions and missiles, but their skills will be transportable and easily transferable to other jobs in other sectors. They could undoubtedly support the industrial strategy long-promised by Scottish ministers if they can stop clutching their pearls long enough to deliver one. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scotland is suffering a debilitating shortage of expertise across all skilled trades as employers struggle to fill vacancies, and creating a pipeline of talent, of industry-leading apprenticeships, must be a hardheaded priority, not some dreamy aspiration. The Fraser of Allander Institute last year detailed the surge in vacancies and a growing mismatch between applicants' skills and employer's requirements. It reported one in four Scots employers had vacancies, with 31 per cent of them being blamed on a skills shortage and trades being an area of particular concern. The problem stretches far beyond defence and is hobbling firms in all sectors, including manufacturing and engineering. Energy is only one example although our transition to renewables is still generating far more talk than jobs. The GMB is in Brighton this week for our annual congress when our reps in Scottish Gas will urge delegates to support calls for governments on both sides of the Border to do far more to deliver the promised transformation of our energy networks to protect existing jobs and create new ones. From making the underground cables needed to refit the National Grid to the wind turbines required offshore and on, an industrial strategy supported by a well-trained workforce will help secure the contracts currently going abroad along with the jobs. GMB Scotland secretary Louise Gilmour | Andrew Cawley Of course, the strategy should include new nuclear energy but, again, SNP ministers have a principle where their ambition should be. The party does not agree with nuclear weapons - although it claims an independent Scotland will join Nato, a nuclear alliance – and apparently also has a problem with nuclear-powered subs. So it is little surprise that John Swinney will not even talk about nuclear power or the kind of Small Modular Reactors being actively planned by dozens of countries around the world, including England. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Principles are no bad thing but, as John Maynard Keynes suggested, like opinions, they should change when the facts change and, from Washington to Moscow, the facts are transformed. We are living in a more uncertain world and, in the future, must better protect our country and our energy. For the SNP to continue opposing nuclear weapons while sheltering beneath them is questionable any time but, right now, seems wilful. So, too, is the apparent determination of both our governments to run down offshore industries and import more of the oil and gas needed for decades to come. Our new, more dangerous world comes with serious challenges, but also clear opportunities, including the chance to reboot Scotland's industrial landscape and create good jobs for our children and their children. That will need resource, but also a sea change in our schools where the overarching assumption that university or college is a better destination for young people than an apprenticeship is steering too many away from skilled trades and well paid work. The increase in defence spending announced by Keir Starmer on a visit to British Aerospace in Glasgow last week can drive growth in places that sorely need it, but only if every pound is spent smartly, stress-tested and charged with underpinning skilled trades, apprenticeships, and jobs. If, on a point of principle, the Scottish Government cannot help, it needs to get out of the way.
