Kristopher Leask

Labour are quickly running out of excuses for why GB Energy will not deliver for workers, cut household bills and ensure that the wealth generated in Scotland stays in Scotland.

Scotland has enormous energy wealth, but for decades the profits and economic benefits have flowed elsewhere.

Labour encouraged people to expect 1000 new jobs, but ministers are now talking about only 300 direct employees, whilst households are still waiting for the lower energy bills they were promised.

Last week he proposed a ScotWind Wealth Fund, as the Scottish Greens called for during the election. But a fund without money behind it is just an empty promise.

We need to ensure that Scotland’s energy wealth works for Scotland’s people.

What is left must not disappear into another short-term fix. It should be invested in Scotland’s future.

A fund without money behind it is just an empty promise.

The First Minister has recognised these problems, but has offered little in the way of real solutions.

People across Scotland are seeing their energy bills rise year after year, while our energy supply chain is stuck in limbo.

Local communities will still face months of reduced connectivity after services were withdrawn with little meaningful consultation and significant consequences for patients, NHS staff, businesses and families.

Scotland has an enormous renewable energy potential, but too often our communities are seeing the disruption without sharing in the rewards.

Our priority should be creating clean, green, secure jobs that support nuclear workers into new industries while revitalising communities across Scotland.

Instead of pouring billions into nuclear plants that would take decades to build, Labour should be backing the practical climate action Scotland needs now: warmer homes, better flood defences, stronger public transport, nature restoration…

Every pound wasted chasing nuclear fantasies is money that could be spent protecting communities, cutting bills and preparing Scotland for the climate impacts that are already here.

Opening new plants across Scotland would be a huge waste of time and money. It would swallow billions of pounds and take decades to deliver, while doing nothing to tackle energy bills or the climate crisis.

Labour’s obsession with forcing a new generation of nuclear power on Scotland rides roughshod over devolution and ignores the will of the Scottish Parliament.

That is where the investment should be going. Not into another expensive nuclear distraction.

Instead of pouring billions into nuclear plants that would take decades to build, Labour should be backing the practical climate action Scotland needs now: warmer homes, better flood defences, stronger public transport, nature restoration…

Every pound wasted chasing nuclear fantasies is money that could be spent protecting communities, cutting bills and preparing Scotland for the climate impacts that are already here,

Opening new plants across Scotland would be a huge waste of time and money. It would swallow billions of pounds and take decades to deliver, while doing nothing to tackle energy bills or the climate crisis.

Labour’s obsession with forcing a new generation of nuclear power on Scotland rides roughshod over devolution and ignores the will of the Scottish Parliament,