The SNP has called on Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar to explain whether he backs a controversial levy on Scottish energy bills to help fund the spiralling costs of an English nuclear power plant.
The demand comes after the UK Labour Government confirmed that the cost of the Sizewell C plant in Suffolk has doubled to £48 billion, sparking fears that Scottish households will shoulder hundreds of millions of pounds in extra costs over the next decade.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has forecast an additional £12 a year on average energy bills to help pay for the project, amounting to around £300 million from Scottish homes across ten years.
Industry experts have warned the final cost could be far higher, especially as energy bills remain around 10 per cent higher than they were this time last year.
The levy has been branded a “nuclear tax” by critics who point to Labour’s pre‑election pledge to cut bills by £300, a promise that has yet to materialise.
It follows last year’s decision to cut £2.5 billion from GB Energy, the new publicly owned renewable company, to help bankroll nuclear projects in England.
Graham Leadbitter MP, the SNP’s energy spokesperson, said the plan punishes Scottish bill payers for decisions taken in Westminster that do not reflect Scotland’s priorities.
“Scotland has world‑leading renewable energy potential, yet households here are being asked to subsidise the ballooning costs of an English nuclear plant,” he said.
“Anas Sarwar must make his position clear, does he back this nuclear tax, or will he stand up for Scottish families?”
Mr Leadbitter said the growing cost of nuclear power underscored why Scotland must have full control of its own energy future.
“We are rich in wind, tidal and hydro resources,” he said.
“Our focus should be on investing in clean, affordable renewables, not propping up outdated and costly nuclear projects.”
Mr Leadbitter’s letter said in full:
“Dear Anas Sarwar,
“On Tuesday, your Labour UK Government snuck out a statement to confirm the cost of the English nuclear power plant, Sizewell-C, has now doubled in cost to £38bn. Following that it emerged the National Wealth Fund will provide a loan facility for the nuclear power station of up to £36.6bn, pushing the upper limit to £47.7bn, making it even more expensive than Hinkley Point C.
“These English nuclear power plants are extortionate, but the bombshell announcement that your Labour Government slipped out was that they are to be funded by a decade-long levy on Scottish energy bills. To be absolutely clear: in energy rich Scotland, Scots will pay more money on their energy bills to pay for English nuclear power plants.
“If Ed Miliband’s stated figures are correct, it could see Scots foot a £300m bill for a nuclear power plant south of the border – a “nuclear tax” on every Scottish energy bill. A grave injustice and a farcry for your party’s pledge to cut energy bills which have soared by £150 on your watch.
“Any politician from Scotland worth their salt will call this out for what it is – completely absurd. Yet far from that being the case, it seems Scottish Labour is happy to cheer on investment in England at the expense of Scottish industry and Scottish bill payers. You and your party stand squarely behind these extortionate white elephants despite Scotland’s energy future being bound in the success of renewable energy projects, carbon capture and closer links with Europe.
“Be it Prax refinery, British Steel or Sizewell-C, when it comes to projects south of the border the Westminster cheque book can’t come out quick enough. Meanwhile Grangemouth has been shut down and your governments fiscal regime has ruined Scottish energy jobs without so much as a whimper from you and your Scottish Labour colleagues.
“Scotland’s natural resources should benefit Scotland’s people. That is something that should be a given for any Scottish politician yet time and time again it is solely the SNP that puts Scotland’s interests first in a Westminster parliament that always puts Scotland last.
“Scotland’s priorities continue to be at conflict with those of Westminster and your commitment to nuclear energy is an example of that in a nutshell. It is no wonder more and more Scots are concluding that our interests would be best served as an independent country.
“Your continued silence on this matter begs the question whether you support these plans that will punish Scottish bill payers – if not, when will you speak out?
“Yours sincerely,
Graham Leadbetter
MP for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey
SNP Energy Spokesperson”
