Parliament Live from Holyrood – 04/0/2025
Join us for Parliament Live from Holyrood with Scottish Government debate on Scotland’s Renewable Future.
Today’s Parliament Live from Holyrood includes a Scottish Government debate on Scotland’s Renewable Future led by Gillian Martin, Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy.
2:00pm – Topical Questions
Miles Briggs S6T-02391
1. To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report, In Their Own Words: Children’s Experiences in Temporary Accommodation , which was commissioned by Shelter Scotland and shows the impact that a stay in temporary accommodation can have on children’s safety, health and education.
Scottish Government Debate on Scotland’s Renewable Future.
Gillian Martin S6M-16657 – Scotland’s Renewable Future
That the Parliament rejects the creation of new nuclear power plants in Scotland and the risk that they bring; believes that Scotland’s future is as a renewables powerhouse; further believes that the expansion of renewables should have a positive impact on household energy bills; notes the challenges and dangers of producing and managing hazardous radioactive nuclear waste products, and the potentially catastrophic consequences of the failure of a nuclear power plant; recognises that the development and operation of renewable power generation is faster, cheaper and safer than that of nuclear power, and welcomes that renewables would deliver higher employment than nuclear power for the development and production of equivalent levels of generated power.
Amendments
Douglas Lumsden S6M-16657.3 – Scotland’s Renewable Future
As an amendment to motion S6M-16657 in the name of Gillian Martin (Scotland’s Renewable Future), leave out from “rejects” to end and insert “recognises the importance of renewable energy in Scotland’s future, but believes that a balanced energy mix, including investment in new nuclear power, such as small modular reactors, is essential to ensuring a secure, clean and affordable energy source by reducing the country’s reliance on foreign energy and creating a reliable energy supply for the UK; acknowledges that nuclear power is a proven, low-carbon energy source that operates independently of weather conditions, complementing the variability of renewables and reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels; notes that, while renewables will play a central role in Scotland’s energy transition, they alone cannot provide the constant, stable supply required to meet demand; acknowledges that Scotland’s oil and gas sector has been a cornerstone of the UK’s energy security and economy for decades and will continue to play a crucial role in providing reliable energy, supporting skilled jobs and driving investment in clean energy innovation; recognises the vital contribution of energy companies in leading the transition to a cleaner future through investments in emerging technologies that will underpin net zero goals while maintaining energy resilience; notes that, whilst new renewable and electrical infrastructure is needed, the right of communities to object must be respected, with wind turbines, battery energy storage systems, pylons and other infrastructure only being built where it has the express consent of residents; calls for an energy strategy that embraces renewables, nuclear and the managed use of domestic oil and gas to ensure affordable, stable and low-carbon energy for Scotland’s households and businesses, and welcomes the economic and employment opportunities that a broad-based energy mix will bring to Scotland.”
Sarah Boyack S6M-16657.2 – Scotland’s Renewable Future
As an amendment to motion S6M-16657 in the name of Gillian Martin (Scotland’s Renewable Future), leave out from “rejects” to end and insert “recognises the huge potential, and progress made, in Scotland to develop renewable energy generation capacity; considers that Scotland has a future as a renewables powerhouse and that this will help with the long-term ambitions to decarbonise Scotland’s energy usage; acknowledges that, to successfully transition to low- and zero-carbon energy sources and deliver energy security, it will require a sustainable generation baseline; considers that nuclear energy is therefore an essential part of the future energy mix, as a highly efficient, zero-emissions source of energy that generates over 20% of the electricity consumed in Scotland; notes that Torness nuclear power station directly supports hundreds of jobs, as well as many more in the wider economy in the region, and welcomes the decision to extend its lifespan; welcomes the support from the UK Government for the next generation of nuclear energy technology and the development of small modular reactors; regrets that Scotland will miss out on these investment and job opportunities due to the Scottish Government’s opposition to new nuclear energy projects, and calls on it to end its outdated ideological opposition to small modular reactors.”
Patrick Harvie S6M-16657.1 – Scotland’s Renewable Future
As an amendment to motion S6M-16657 in the name of Gillian Martin (Scotland’s Renewable Future), insert at end “; believes, however, that for the benefits of renewable energy to be maximised, further action is needed; further believes that both governments should place a higher priority on public and community ownership of renewable energy infrastructure; recognises the need for the UK Government to make changes to energy regulation and pricing to incentivise renewable generation, storage and grid infrastructure, and to make electrification of heat and transport more financially attractive, and further recognises the urgent need for the Scottish Government to end the delays to the Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan and the planned Heat in Buildings Bill, which must be introduced to the Parliament as soon as possible.”
Business Motions
Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5:00pm – Decision Time
Parliament Live from Holyrood is available live and on catch-up afterwards.
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