Latest news with #GrahamLeadbitter
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Scots to ‘foot the bill' for Sizewell C, SNP claims
Scotland has become an 'afterthought' for the UK Government, the SNP has claimed, as those north of the border are set to 'foot the bill' for Sizewell C. The nuclear power plant is set to cost £38 billion, according to an announcement on Tuesday by UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, with a levy to be placed on energy bills to help cover the cost. Mr Miliband said the charge would be limited to an average of around £1 per month. The SNP-led Scottish Government has long been against new nuclear power and has said it would block plans north of the border through the devolved planning system. 16 years ago I identified Sizewell as a site for new nuclear power. Today I am delighted that Sizewell C has finally been given the green light. We're delivering the biggest nuclear building programme in a generation 👇 — Ed Miliband (@Ed_Miliband) July 22, 2025 Speaking in the wake of the announcement, the SNP's energy spokesman at Westminster Graham Leadbitter said nuclear power was 'extortionate, takes decades to build and the toxic waste is a risk to local communities'. 'Just months ago, the Labour Government rubbished the £38 billion figure for Sizewell C, yet today Ed Miliband snuck out a statement that confirmed they've lost control of this project before spades are even in the ground,' he said. 'To make matters worse, Scots will be left to foot the bill with a levy on energy bills – you simply couldn't make it up, yet Anas Sarwar and Scottish Labour back this extortionate and wasteful plan that energy-rich Scotland will pay for through the nose.' Mr Leadbitter also hit out at the spending of the UK Government south of the border compared to Scotland, pointing to the closure of the Grangemouth refinery with the loss of 400 jobs. 'Be it Prax refinery, British Steel or Sizewell C, when it comes to projects south of the border it seems the pot of cash never runs out,' the SNP MP said. 'Meanwhile, Grangemouth has been shut down and Westminster's fiscal regime has ruined Scottish energy jobs – Scotland isn't just an afterthought, it's barely a thought at all. 'It is absurd that energy-rich Scotland is home to fuel-poor Scots and that while energy bills go up, Scottish energy jobs are going down – that's directly as a consequence of Westminster policy, and the further squandering of cash on expensive nuclear won't change that.' But Mr Miliband talked up the scale and ambition of the project as he announced it, with the UK Government taking a near-45% stake. 'It is time to do big things and build big projects in this country again – and today we announce an investment that will provide clean, homegrown power to millions of homes for generations to come,' he said. 'This Government is making the investment needed to deliver a new golden age of nuclear, so we can end delays and free us from the ravages of the global fossil fuel markets to bring bills down for good.' New Sizewell C investors include Canadian investment fund La Caisse with 20%, British Gas owner Centrica with 15%, and Amber Infrastructure with an initial 7.6%. It comes alongside French energy giant EDF announcing earlier this month it was taking a 12.5% stake – lower than its previously stated 16.2% ownership. The total investment, which is split between equity funding from investors and debt financing, exceeds the target construction cost of £38 billion, therefore acting as a buffer in case costs overrun.
The Independent
22-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Scots to ‘foot the bill' for Sizewell C, SNP claims
Scotland has become an 'afterthought' for the UK Government, the SNP has claimed, as those north of the border are set to 'foot the bill' for Sizewell C. The nuclear power plant is set to cost £38 billion, according to an announcement on Tuesday by UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, with a levy to be placed on energy bills to help cover the cost. Mr Miliband said the charge would be limited to an average of around £1 per month. The SNP-led Scottish Government has long been against new nuclear power and has said it would block plans north of the border through the devolved planning system. Speaking in the wake of the announcement, the SNP's energy spokesman at Westminster Graham Leadbitter said nuclear power was 'extortionate, takes decades to build and the toxic waste is a risk to local communities'. 'Just months ago, the Labour Government rubbished the £38 billion figure for Sizewell C, yet today Ed Miliband snuck out a statement that confirmed they've lost control of this project before spades are even in the ground,' he said. 'To make matters worse, Scots will be left to foot the bill with a levy on energy bills – you simply couldn't make it up, yet Anas Sarwar and Scottish Labour back this extortionate and wasteful plan that energy-rich Scotland will pay for through the nose.' Mr Leadbitter also hit out at the spending of the UK Government south of the border compared to Scotland, pointing to the closure of the Grangemouth refinery with the loss of 400 jobs. 'Be it Prax refinery, British Steel or Sizewell C, when it comes to projects south of the border it seems the pot of cash never runs out,' the SNP MP said. 'Meanwhile, Grangemouth has been shut down and Westminster's fiscal regime has ruined Scottish energy jobs – Scotland isn't just an afterthought, it's barely a thought at all. 'It is absurd that energy-rich Scotland is home to fuel-poor Scots and that while energy bills go up, Scottish energy jobs are going down – that's directly as a consequence of Westminster policy, and the further squandering of cash on expensive nuclear won't change that.' But Mr Miliband talked up the scale and ambition of the project as he announced it, with the UK Government taking a near-45% stake. 'It is time to do big things and build big projects in this country again – and today we announce an investment that will provide clean, homegrown power to millions of homes for generations to come,' he said. 'This Government is making the investment needed to deliver a new golden age of nuclear, so we can end delays and free us from the ravages of the global fossil fuel markets to bring bills down for good.' New Sizewell C investors include Canadian investment fund La Caisse with 20%, British Gas owner Centrica with 15%, and Amber Infrastructure with an initial 7.6%. It comes alongside French energy giant EDF announcing earlier this month it was taking a 12.5% stake – lower than its previously stated 16.2% ownership. The total investment, which is split between equity funding from investors and debt financing, exceeds the target construction cost of £38 billion, therefore acting as a buffer in case costs overrun.
The Herald Scotland
22-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Ian Murray: SNP must lift nuclear ban after Sizewell C deal
New investors in Sizewell C include Canadian investment fund La Caisse with 20%, British Gas owner Centrica with 15%, and Amber Infrastructure with an initial 7.6%. READ MORE This follows French energy giant EDF announcing earlier this month that it would take a 12.5% stake—lower than its previously stated 16.2%. The total investment, which combines equity funding and debt financing, exceeds the target construction cost. Ministers say this should provide a buffer in the event of cost overruns. The National Wealth Fund—the Government's investment vehicle—is providing the bulk of the debt finance through a loan of up to £36.6bn. From autumn, an average of £1 will be added to each household's energy bill per month for the duration of the construction phase. Once operational in the 2030s, Sizewell C is expected to deliver savings of up to £2 billion a year across the UK's future low-carbon electricity system. The Government said the plant would generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of six million homes and create around 10,000 jobs. While energy is largely reserved to the [[UK Government]], the Scottish Government effectively has a veto on new nuclear power developments through planning regulations. Commenting on the announcement, Mr Murray said: 'The UK Government's deal with EDF to build Sizewell C shows again how Scotland is losing out. 'This deal will bring jobs and investment to the local economy, as well as helping us meet our clear power ambitions. 'The UK Government is driving forward nuclear power in other parts of the UK, but in Scotland the Scottish Government continues to block new nuclear sites. 'That means Scotland is being left behind, missing out on jobs and growth, as well as affordable energy. I urge the Scottish Government again to put Scotland's interests first and drop their ideological objections.' However, the SNP warned that Scottish energy bill payers would bear the cost if the project overruns again. They said the statement had been 'snuck out just hours before the Parliament goes into a six-week summer recess'. READ MORE: The SNP's energy spokesperson, Graham Leadbitter said: 'Nuclear is extortionate, takes decades to build and the toxic waste is a risk to local communities. "Scotland's future is in renewables, carbon capture and links to Europe—not more money for white elephants. 'Just months ago, the Labour Government rubbished the £38bn figure for Sizewell C, yet today Ed Miliband snuck out a statement confirming they've lost control of this project before spades are even in the ground. 'To make matters worse, Scots will be left to foot the bill with a levy on energy bills. You simply could not make it up—yet Anas Sarwar and Scottish Labour back this extortionate and wasteful plan that energy-rich Scotland will pay for through the nose.'
The Herald Scotland
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Scotland's Post Office numbers fall 8.3% over decade
The SNP say the figures, revealed in a recent House of Commons Library paper, should prompt a "categorical" commitment to the needs of rural and island communities in new reforms being pushed through by the UK Government. READ MORE Last week saw the publication of the Green Paper on the future of the Post Office by the Department for Business and Trade. It sets out the UK Government's proposals to "reimagine the role of Post Office to ensure it continues to meet the evolving needs of our society." It is the first comprehensive review of the service in 15 years. At present, the UK Government has a requirement that there are at least 11,500 branches across the UK, and that 99% of the total UK population and 95% of the rural population are within three miles of their nearest Post Office outlet. It is seeking views on three options: maintaining the current requirements; retaining the geographical criteria while removing the minimum branch requirement; or scrapping both and introducing new rules "to target local areas with insufficient service provision" The Green Paper also discusses "outreach branches", typically provided by a mobile Post Office van or hosted in a village hall or other community setting. In 2000, outreaches made up less than 1% of the Post Office network but, as of April 2025, accounted for around 14%. The document notes that these branches "can provide a lifeline to rural and vulnerable communities (such as remote island communities in Scotland where there can often be no host retailers for a typical Post Office branch)." However, the government states that "the most community value comes from permanent Post Office branches co-located with a wider retail offer" and recognises that outreach branches offer more limited value to communities. SNP MP Graham Leadbitter said: "Let's be absolutely clear, Westminster is effectively closing branches in Scotland and reopening them in England – when it comes to the Post Office, Westminster simply doesn't deliver for Scotland. "London Post Office numbers are soaring yet in Scotland we face the steepest decline in the UK – the categorical failure to support the needs of rural and island communities will hit Scottish communities hard and it's yet more evidence that to get first class treatment from Westminster, don't live in Scotland. "We know the centre of Westminster's focus is London, but Scotland's rural and island communities deserve the same access to Post Offices as those living south of the Border – our country needs people who will put Scotland's interests first and that's something the SNP will always do. "Time and time again Scots are forced to contend with Westminster governments that treat Scotland as an afterthought. It's no wonder more and more Scots are asking the question: how long do we stay tied to this so-called union of equals?" READ MORE The Post Office has faced significant commercials challenges in recent years, notably the rise of digital banking, shopping and access to services. Weekly customer sessions at Post Office branches decreased by 34% between 2007 and 2024, with a particularly pronounced decline in rural areas since 2019. Despite this, certain services like parcel pick-up and drop-off, and banking, have seen significant increases. In the Green Paper, the Government say they inherited a Post Office "in crisis" with a "grim past, a poor commercial track record and unstable leadership", particularly in light of the Horizon scandal, described as "the most widespread miscarriage of justice" by the Criminal Cases Review Commission. The paper states that nearly half of all Post Office branches are unprofitable or only marginally profitable for postmasters. The Post Office has relied on continuous government funding, receiving around £3 billion between 2012 and March 2024. Ministers says this level of reliance on taxpayer funding is unsustainable . The UK Government was approached for comment.
The National
01-07-2025
- Business
- The National
Ed Miliband accused of ‘hypocrisy' over Lindsey refinery support
Both Alba and the SNP have hit out at the Energy Secretary after the UK Government confirmed their review of mechanisms for refineries to become eligible for the Energy-Intensive Industries Compensation Scheme. Refineries are currently excluded from the scheme. Scottish representatives have drawn comparisons between the UK Government's response to State Oil – the parent company of Prax Group, which owns the Lindsey refinery in North Lincolnshire – and Grangemouth. More than 180 staff are employed by State Oil, while it is thought that around another 440 work at the Lindsey refinery. READ MORE: Wildfires becoming 'danger to human life', Scottish Government warned The Lindsey site is one of only five large oil refineries remaining in the UK after the recent closure of Grangemouth. Just over 400 jobs were lost earlier this year when the oil refinery closed and transitioned into being an import terminal. 'The fact is the Labour Party promised there would be no cliff edge for the oil and gas industry, but this will be the second refinery to face closure on their watch with thousands of jobs being lost in our offshore industries thanks to the Labour Government's fiscal regime," the SNP energy spokesperson Graham Leadbitter said. He added: "The UK Government was made aware of the difficulties months ago and so clearly we need to see a plan come forward as quickly as possible. 'Of course all options should be considered to keep Lindsey operating, but there was not even so much as an urgent statement for Grangemouth. It would appear that when it comes to British Steel and energy infrastructure south of the Border, Westminster can pull out all the stops. "It's no wonder people in Scotland are left questioning why critical national infrastructure becomes more critical depending on its geography." Alba party leader Kenny MacAskill, a former Scottish justice secretary, also responded to the reports, calling it "evidence of why independence is needed". "Sympathies are with the workforce and UK Government support for the refinery is the right thing to do," MacAskill said, and added: "But it rings hollow for Grangemouth where no such action was taken. The hypocrisy of Ed Miliband is breath-taking." He continued: "It's two-tier Ed not just two-tier Keir. Scottish refinery workers and communities are ignored whilst south of the Border they're supported. Yet again evidence of why independence is needed to control our own destiny and economy." The UK Government has now called for an urgent investigation after the Prax Group collapsed into administration, putting hundreds of jobs at risk. Energy minister Michael Shanks said the firm's collapse was 'deeply concerning' and that the company had left the UK Government with 'little time to act'. He said the Government is demanding an investigation into the conduct of the company's directors and the circumstances surrounding its failure as well as confirming a review of the Energy-Intensive Industries Compensation Scheme. READ MORE: Changes to UK disability cuts will cost billions, Liz Kendall tells MPs Prax Group is led by majority owner and chairman and chief executive Sanjeev Kumar Soosaipillai, who bought the Lindsey oil refinery from French firm Total in 2021. Shanks said: 'There have been longstanding issues with this company and workers have been badly let down. 'The Secretary of State is today writing to the Insolvency Service to demand an immediate investigation into the conduct of the directors and the circumstances surrounding this insolvency. 'The Government will ensure supplies are maintained, protect our energy security, and do everything we can to support workers and the local community, including engaging with trade unions and industry bodies.' He added: 'The Government believes that the business's leadership have a responsibility to the workers and the local community. 'We call on them to do the right thing and support the workers through this difficult period.' More than 80 potential investors have come forward since the UK Government pledged £200m for the Grangemouth site. The UK Government is also looking for another £600m from private investment in the area. Trade union Unite said the Government needed to urgently intervene to help protect UK fuel supplies and jobs. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: 'The Lindsey oil refinery is strategically important and the Government must intervene immediately to protect workers and fuel supplies. 'Unite has constantly warned the Government that its policies have placed the oil and gas industry on a cliff edge.' Built in 1968, the Lindsey refinery can process around 113,000 barrels of oil a day. Clare Boardman, joint administrator of State Oil and Prax, said: 'We appreciate that this is a very difficult and uncertain time for the employees and everyone involved and we will be on site to support them during this challenging period. 'We will be considering all options for the group, including the prospect of a sale for the group's upstream business and retail operations in the UK and Europe, all of which remain outside of insolvency. 'We thank the group's team members and other stakeholders for their continued support.' Prax Group was not immediately available for comment.
