Cross-Party Unity Against Damaging UK Government CCS Decision

ONLY TORY MSPs FAIL TO SIGN MOTION SUPPORTING ENERGY INDUSTRY
SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson has today welcomed cross-party support for his parliamentary motion condemning the UK Government’s decision to cut £1 billion in funding for the carbon capture and storage project in Peterhead – but has expressed disappointment that the Scottish Tories have thus far refused to stand up for the North East and back the motion.

The motion lodged by the Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP last week has now been signed by MSPs from the SNP, Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the independent grouping in the Scottish Parliament – leaving the Tories as the only parliamentary group yet to lend their support.

Commenting, Mr Stevenson said:

“The carbon capture project would have been a major boost for the North East, creating 600 jobs and helping Scotland to become a world leader in clean energy – and I am delighted to see cross-party support in the Scottish Parliament on this important issue.

“It is disappointing that the Tories have thus far not saw fit to sign the motion and stand up for Scotland’s energy industry – that the two Tory MSPs for the North East in particular have failed to do so shows that they are more interested in standing up for the UK Government than in standing up for their constituents.

“The UK Government has swindled Scotland out of £1 billion while posturing as environmentally friendly on the world stage – and people in Scotland won’t be quick to forgive or forget this latest betrayal.

“That’s why it’s so vital that all North East Scotland MSPs stand as one against this decision- and make clear to the UK Government that their lack of support for our energy industry is completely unacceptable. That the Tories are so far refusing to do so only goes to show why they are increasingly a spent force in the North East.”