LIZ Truss’s proposals to pursue more nuclear power and allow fracking are “negligently wrong-headed and dangerously short-sighted”, the SNP have warned.
Truss, the outright favourite to become the next prime minister, has renewed her commitment to ramp up reliance on nuclear power and re-start fracking – a proposal that has sparked anger among campaigners.
It is expected Truss will unveil a plan to tackle the energy crisis within 24 hours of entering office, with nuclear energy thought to be key to any upcoming strategy.
These reports follow outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson committing £700 million to build a nuclear power plant in Suffolk – despite his imminent departure from Downing Street.
In response, SNP MSP Fiona Hyslop has said that the Tory Government’s “catastrophic energy policy” is cause for despair for businesses and families up and down the country.
She added: “Unbelievably, [the Tories] want to prioritise traditional nuclear fission energy plants and fracking. This is both negligently wrong-headed and dangerously short-sighted.
“It will be decades before new nuclear stations are operational and they will also be expensive and actually make household bills even more expensive. It is deliberately misleading to suggest nuclear as the answer when the need for viable solutions could not be more urgent."
Hyslop went on to argue fracking would not offer an immediate solution to skyrocketing energy bills but would serve to accelerate the climate crisis.
She argued: "Relying on fossil fuels is not a long-term solution when there are better options available to provide Britain with a secure supply of clean, safe, renewable energy without further jeopardising our planet.
“If Truss, as expected, replaces Johnson as Prime Minister, she must provide an appropriate, comprehensive and substantial package of measures to help both families and businesses weather this storm that the inept Tories helped create.”
Truss's leadership campaign has been contacted for comment.
