Experts Warn Tories Could Push Renewables Industry "Off a Cliff"

Cuts to Renewables Support Threaten Booming Industry in Scotland
Expert analysis has shown that UK Government mismanagement threatens to push the renewable energy industry “off a cliff” – just one week after it was revealed that wind power output has reached a record high.

The analysis by Bloomberg New Energy Finance on behalf of the Independent said that investment could collapse after 2019 due to an end to subsidies for onshore wind – despite investment in onshore wind across the UK doubling to a record £2.6bn last year.

David Hostert, the analyst who carried out the research, said that “the Government is kicking the onshore wind industry off the ladder too soon. Without some form of change in policy support, we could see investment drop off a cliff after 2019.”

Commenting, SNP MSP Chic Brodie said:

“This new analysis is further evidence that the UK Government have been reckless, regressive and irrational in their approach to the renewables industry.

“Last year onshore wind produced the equivalent of 97% of Scotland’s household electricity needs. That’s the sort of progress that should be embraced and built upon rather than undermined.

“We know that Scotland has a real opportunity to be a world leader on renewable energy – which can boost our economy, create jobs and protect the environment. And the excellent progress we’ve made in recent years must not be put at risk by the reckless and short-sighted approach of a Tory government with scant regard for Scotland’s interests.”

McLeish Snub is a "Bombshell" for the NO Campaign

LABOUR LEADERSHIP DON’T HAVE A POSITIVE VISION FOR SCOTLAND
Labour must take heed of Henry McLeish’s warning about their involvement with the Tories in the anti-independence campaign, says SNP MSP Chic Brodie.

The former First Minister urged the party he used to lead to embrace greater devolved powers for Scotland, in an appearance at the Edinburgh International Book Festival yesterday.

Mr Brodie described Mr McLeish’s comments as a “bombshell” for the No Campaign which outlines just how lacking a positive vision for Scotland Labour is.

He said:

"It is illuminating for the people of Scotland – including Labour voters who are demanding more from their party – to see a glimpse of what the Labour party should be doing if they are serious about their claims of offering a positive vision for Scotland.

"However, so far Johann Lamont and the Labour Party in Scotland’s leadership have offered nothing near to this as they remain united with the Tories in their negative No Campaign.

"Henry McLeish’s forthright and robust views will come as a bombshell to the No Camp. The Tories need Labour and Labour need to wake up to themselves and have an honest and open debate within their party on what they believe is the best path to take for Scotland’s future.

"The most recent poll put support for independence ahead of both the status quo and more devolved powers, it is clear that the electorate are also giving Labour's position a big thumbs down.

"The Tory-led anti-independence campaign offers nothing to Scotland, and will only encourage more people to vote Yes to an independent Scotland."

Leading Tory Donor to Vote for Independence if no Devo Max Option on Ballot Paper

“WORST OF ALL OPTIONS IS THE STATUS QUO”

FURTHER PRESSURE ON ANTI-INDEPENDENCE PARTIES TO OFFER MORE THAN ‘JAM TOMORROW’
The SNP today welcomed comments from Tory Donor John McGlynn, the Founder and Chairman of Airlink Group, that he will most likely back independence to get more economic powers for Scotland – if there is no third option on the ballot paper.

Mr McGlynn said:

“If a stronger powers option is not included in the 2014 referendum I, like many others in the business community, will most likely come to the conclusion that the worst of all options is the status quo and back independence.”

The comments, reported in today’s Sunday Times, echo recent calls from other leading businessmen Sir Tom Farmer and Jim McColl, who view independence as currently the only means for the Scottish Government to gain the economic levers necessary to boost jobs and growth.

With the anti-independence parties suggesting more powers short of independence – but so far refusing to put them to the people – SNP MSP Chic Brodie has said that independence is increasingly the choice of those who want to see more financial powers for the Scottish Parliament.

Commenting, Mr Brodie, a member of the Scottish Parliament’s Economy Committee, said:

“This is a positive contribution to the debate from another leading businessman who sees the fantastic opportunity that the referendum offers Scotland.

“More and more people are coming to the view that Scotland voting Yes to independence is the only way to get the economic and job-creating powers this country so desperately needs.

“The anti-independence parties speak about more powers short of independence, but if they don’t take the opportunity to put something concrete on the table it will only encourage more people to vote Yes – as the comments of Sir Tom Farmer, Jim McColl and now John McGlynn prove.

“These successful entrepreneurs recognise that the status quo is not good enough. They know from personal experience that we badly need a full range of fiscal levers to help grow Scotland’s economy and create jobs.

“This intervention from a Tory donor puts huge pressure on Ruth Davidson. The fact is, our leading businessmen want something more than just a promise of jam tomorrow - they want to see real fiscal powers being proposed.

“The SNP has ambitions to make Scotland better – and we will be making the case for a yes vote to the people of Scotland between now and the autumn 2014 referendum.”