UK Government funds £14m Scots nuclear research involving 100 students
Four annual cohorts of PhD students at Glasgow, Strathclyde, Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt universities will “work on the cutting edge future of nuclear technology.”
The UK Government has pledged an estimated £14 million in funding for new nuclear research programmes involving 100 Scots students - but they will have to travel south afterwards for work due to the SNP’s block on new nuclear.
Four annual cohorts of PhD students at Glasgow, Strathclyde, Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt universities will “work on the cutting edge future of nuclear technology”.
UK energy minister Michael Shanks said it was “unfortunate” that the doctoral students “will have to seek work at the end of their research outside of Scotland” because of the SNP’s ban on nuclear reactors.
Two of the seven research programmes, funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, are led by Scottish universities.
It is estimated that 24,000 jobs will be needed across the UK by 2030.
But Scotland’s last nuclear power station Torness shuts the same year, meaning the end of nuclear energy north of the Border.
Mr Shanks, who is also MP for Rutherglen said: “Today the UK Government has announced funding for four Scottish universities so that talented Scottish researchers can work on the cutting edge future of nuclear technology.
“This funding demonstrates the UK Government’s commitment to Scotland, but it is unfortunate that because of the SNP’s ideological block on nuclear in Scotland, these talented Scottish researchers will have to seek work at the end of their research outside of Scotland rather than helping deliver jobs and opportunities here.
“A change of government in May means thousands of new jobs in nuclear building on the wealth of Scottish talent and helping deliver, in an uncertain world, the energy security Scotland needs”.
The STAND-UP (Skills and Training driving Availability of National Defence assets - UPskilling for innovation driven impact) programme is led by Strathclyde University. It focuses on the “whole lifecycle delivery of UK's defence nuclear programme.”
The SCANS (Skills Centre for Advancing Nuclear Systems) programme is led by Glasgow University.
Scottish universities are also involved in civil and defence nuclear research.
Although energy policy is reserved, planning powers are devolved. This means the Scottish Government can block any new nuclear projects.
The UK Government has said it would like small modular reactors at Torness in East Lothian and on the site of former nuclear power plants at Hunterston in North Ayrshire.
The announcement came as the UK Government announced plans to speed up nuclear power generation south of the Border.
Labour Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “As the current Middle East conflict shows, we need to go further and faster to build the clean energy we need to get off volatile fossil fuel markets and deliver energy security for our country.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “To build national resilience, drive energy security and deliver economic growth, we need nuclear. That’s why we’re overhauling the system, getting rid of duplicative or overly complex guidance, rules and regulations that have been holding back our nuclear ambitions.
“In a new era of global uncertainty, this government’s economic plan is the right one. Through stability, investment, and reform we are building a stronger and more secure economy.”
Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said: “The Scottish Government does not support the creation of new nuclear reactors in Scotland. We are focused on supporting the development of Scotland’s immense renewable energy potential – which provides more jobs, are faster to deliver, are safer and don’t leave a legacy of nuclear waste.
“Significant growth in renewables, are providing key opportunities for our future energy workforce in Scotland with independent scenarios from Ernst and Young (EY) showing that with the right support, Scotland's low carbon and renewable energy sector could support nearly 80,000 jobs by 2050. ”
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