May 17, 2024
3 mins read

UK govt planning nuclear site in Scotland

Its ambitions for up to a quarter of all electricity to come from nuclear power by 2050 are being led by government-backed body Great British Nuclear body…reports Asian Lite News

The government is planning to build a new nuclear reactor in Scotland despite opposition from Holyrood, according to Scottish Secretary Alister Jack.

He told a House of Lords committee he had asked the UK energy minister to plan for such a site as part of a UK-wide strategy.

The Conservative minister also called for the Lords to be allowed to scrutinise Scottish laws.

First Minister John Swinney accused Mr Jack of being a “menacing behaviour” and said his government would have “nothing to do with nuclear power”.

The government has committed to developing larger-scale nuclear plants south of the border, as well as developing a new generation of smaller modular reactors. It has said up to eight more nuclear reactors could be approved on existing sites.

Its ambitions for up to a quarter of all electricity to come from nuclear power by 2050 are being led by government-backed body Great British Nuclear body.

The Scottish government, however, has rejected calls to end an effective ban on new nuclear power stations. Jack told the Lords committee: “On the small nuclear reactors, I have asked the energy minister to plan for one in Scotland.

“I believe that in 2026 we’ll see a unionist regime again in Holyrood and they will move forward with that.” The Scottish secretary added that he did not “see any point in having a great fight over it” given the “timescales in front of us” – a likely reference to the upcoming general election.

Swinney said the Scottish Secretary had not mentioned the proposals to the Scottish government. “This is utterly and completely incompatible with good inter-governmental working and is illustrative of the damaging behaviour, the menacing behaviour, of the secretary of state for Scotland,” he said at First Minister’s Questions.

The SNP leader said the Scottish government would not support new nuclear power stations in the country, and was investing in renewable energy projects.

Scotland’s last nuclear power plant – at Torness in East Lothian – is scheduled to be shut down by 2028. Although energy policy is largely set at Westminster, the Scottish government is able to block projects it opposes as planning powers are devolved.

The Scottish Secretary went on to suggest a “grand committee” of the House of Lords should be allowed to scrutinise Holyrood legislation.

“Devolution is not a bad thing,” he told the committee. “Where it has failed is bad governance.”

Jack said the Scottish Parliament’s committee structure was “not right” and that the “knowledge and wisdom” of the House of Lords could be used to help review Scottish laws.

SNP MP Tommy Sheppard said the Tory minister was “undermining and patronising our democratically-elected government”. The Scottish government said it remained opposed to the building of new nuclear plants in Scotland “under current technologies”. A spokesperson said: “Small modular reactors, while innovative in construction and size, still generate electricity using nuclear fission and therefore the process presents the same environmental concerns as traditional nuclear power plants. We believe that significant growth in renewables, storage, hydrogen and carbon capture provides the best pathway to net zero by 2045 and will deliver secure, affordable and clean energy supplies for Scotland

ALSO READ-Dowden sets £30bn Saudi-UK 2030 bilateral trade goal

Previous Story

Cong adopts multi-pronged media strategy in polls

Next Story

German police raid properties as pro-Palestinian group banned

Latest from -Top News

Uyghurs Face ‘More Repression, No Relief’

CFU stressed that, instead of addressing the UN’s recommendations, Beijing has escalated its repression…reports Asian Lite News On August 31, 2025, Campaign for Uyghurs (CFU) marked the third anniversary of the United

Afghan Quake Toll Hits 1,457

More than 6,700 homes have been destroyed due to earthquake as international aid agencies struggle to reach people in remote areas…reports Asian Lite News The death toll from the powerful earthquake that

Xi, Putin, Kim conspiring against US, says Trump

Trump accused Xi of “conspiring against” America after hosting Putin and Kim at Beijing’s largest military parade….reports Asian Lite News US President Donald Trump unleashed a sharp rebuke at Chinese President Xi

Al Zeer clinches UAE President’s Cup glory

Al Zeer stormed to a dramatic victory at Waregem Racecourse, clinching the UAE President’s Cup in Belgium, showcasing the UAE’s equestrian heritage and global sporting vision….reports Asian Lite News Before nearly 50,000

India, UAE chase $100b trade dream

India and the UAE reaffirmed their CEPA partnership, setting a $100 billion non-oil trade target by 2030, with strong focus on energy, food, healthcare, and technology….reports Asian Lite News India and the
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Second UK-EU Cyber Dialogue held in London 

Other representatives from the Commission and EU agencies (Europol, ENISA)

UK begins inquiry into army’s ‘unlawful killings’ of Afghans

The independent inquiry, which Defence Secretary Ben Wallace commissioned, will