Sarwar wants nuclear ban lifted as Labour slumps – Daily Business

Seeking power: Anas Sarwar wants an energy rethink

Anas Sarwar will today commit a Scottish Labour government to overturn the SNP’s ban on nuclear power as he seeks new ways to boost his party’s flagging support.

Mr Sarwar says the SNP’s “ideological and anti-science block” on new nuclear power is holding Scotland back on jobs, investment and security.

However, his attempt to spot a weakness in the SNP’s energy policy came as new data from Fuel Finder revealed that seven of the ten most expensive places to buy diesel in the UK are in Scotland, including the highest price in the UK at 229p per litre in Thurso.

The SNP said  “families in Scotland are paying the highest price for Labour Party failure”.

It also coincided with a poll offering little encouragement for the Labour leader as it shows the SNP within touching distance of a historic majority – and Labour plunging to a possible fourth-placed finish.

An Ipsos Scotland Political Pulse survey of 1,038 adults, conducted in the first week of election campaigning, 26-31 March 26, puts the SNP on course for 63 seats in the next Scottish Parliament.

The Scottish Greens would be the second largest party with 17 seats, Reform UK would take 15 seats and Scottish Labour would win just 14.

Emily Gray, managing director of Ipsos in Scotland, said: “The poll makes grim reading for Scottish Labour, showing their support weakening on both constituency and regional list votes.”

The Labour leader will visit a nuclear power station today to argue Scotland “cannot afford to turn its back on a major source of clean, secure power.” 

Furthermore, he says Scotland is being left out as the rest of the UK moves ahead with major nuclear investment.

The Nuclear Industry Association said the SNP’s resistance to nuclear power was denying Scotland about 5,000 high-quality jobs.  

Mr Sarwar says a Scottish Labour government would end the ban, and from day one would begin the process of securing sites for the next generation of nuclear plants.

“In an uncertain world we need leaders who’ll deliver on the security for Scotland, not student politicians leaving Scots vulnerable to tyrants abroad,” said Mr Sarwar.

He has added his voice to calls for the energy profits levy, or windfall tax, on North Sea oil and gas profits to be scrapped if the ceasefire in Iran delivers a fall in energy prices.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves was minded to used the Spring Statement to replace the EPL with a new mechanism linked to the price of oil, but the outbreak of hostilities caused her to pause.

If oil prices continue falling Mr Sarwar said there was a case to go ahead. However, an easing of foreign supplies may persuade the Treasury and Energy departments to resist calls for more drilling in the North Sea and stick to investing in renewables.

Mr Swinney recently reversed the SNP’s opposition to new North Sea drilling.

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