The SNP has said Sir 's decision to slash £28billion
of green energy investment is "economically illiterate and a
major setback for Scotland" - amid a growing backlash over the
cuts.
has challenged to "come clean on the jobs and
investment Scotland will lose" - warning the Labour Party's
"obsession with Tory cuts and Tory fiscal rules will damage
Scotland's economy".
In a visit to Scotland last March, Sir Keir promised that his
plans, which have now been ditched, would deliver more than
50,000 new direct and indirect jobs in the renewable energy
sector in Scotland alone over a decade.
The call comes amid a growing backlash against the decision to
slash investment, with former adviser, John McTernan,
describing it as "probably the most stupid decision the Labour
Party's made."
Commenting, SNP Westminster Leader said:
"Sir must come clean on the jobs
and investment Scotland will lose as a result of his damaging
decision to slash green energy funding.
"At a time when countries around the world are pumping money into
green energy, it makes no sense for the UK to cut back. It's
economically illiterate and a major setback for
Scotland.
"Labour's one policy for economic growth has now been dumped by
their own leader. Going into the general election, the economic
offer from Sir Keir Stamer's Labour party adds up to further
decline in an already broken, Brexit Britain.
"You can't compete in the global green energy gold rush if you're
not willing to enter the race. This latest U-turn shows Starmer's
obsession with Tory cuts and Tory fiscal rules will damage
Scotland's economy and public services.
"By boxing himself in on austerity cuts and Brexit, Starmer has
set the UK on the path to another decade of poor growth - and it
will be families across Scotland who will pay the price in lost
jobs, wages and investment.
"The SNP rejects Starmer's Tory fiscal rules. We need to invest
to secure growth, clean energy and cheaper bills - and £28billion
is the bare minimum required when the US, EU and China are
investing trillions."
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Sir Keir Stamer's comments on 50,000 Scottish green jobs March
2023
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/scottish-labour-snp-scotland-alex-salmond-saudi-arabia-b2307664.html
