WEIR DEMANDS ANSWERS ON NUCLEAR SECRET SUBSIDY.

MIKE WEIR MP, DEMANDS ANSWERS ON NUCLEAR SECRET SUBSIDY.

SNP Westminster Energy spokesperson Mike Weir MP has called on the UK Government to come clean over reports that officials have drawn up secret plans to tax electricity consumers to subsidise the construction of new nuclear reactors – in a move that hit household budgets and contradict previous promises by Labour Ministers that the nuclear industry would no longer benefit from public subsidies.

Mr Weir said:

“The UK Government must come clean on these plans for a secret subsidy to pay for new nuclear. Previous claims that there would be no public subsidy were always fantasy – the fact is that no country has developed and maintained nuclear stations without state support, nor ever will.

“We were assured by ministers that would no longer be the case and that no public subsidy would be given, but it appears they have gone back on this promise and are preparing to give a secret subsidy to nuclear energy.

“The costs associated with developing new nuclear stations are mammoth, and the expense and risks associated with disposal are incalculable.

“It is time for them to come clean and admit that nuclear power is expensive and unnecessary. Instead of trying to fix the market they should concentrate on developing clean green renewable energy and carbon capture and storage which can provide all our energy needs without the need for new nuclear.

"Without nuclear power, Scotland has the natural resources to generate clean, green power. Harnessing that potential can meet our future energy demands several times over, while tackling climate change and without the cost, danger and uncertainty of nuclear.”

“Scotland is capable of meeting our energy needs through renewables and new technologies, and the here and now investment by the SNP Government is in stark contrast with Labour’s costly obsession with nuclear.”