As the UK’s clean power revolution ramps up under Labour, it was always obvious Scotland would play a vital role.
Scotland’s incredible green energy boom is a key part of the jigsaw for Keir Starmer and Ed Miliband as they aim to wean Britain off fossil fuels. We’re all for clean, renewable power generated in Scotland being sent where it’s needed. It’s vital for the green economy of the future.
But those affected by the huge infrastructure projects now under way to modernise the grid and connect it up to Scottish renewable sources should be compensated. Communities in rural parts of the country, like the idyllic stretch from Aberdeenshire and Angus where a 66-mile “electricity motorway” of monster pylons is planned, have understandable concerns that must be addressed.
Labour’s proposal to knock £250 a year off their energy bills – and all who live near major pylon projects – is surely a step in the right direction. But it won’t be enough to temper all the concerns.
And it highlights an issue that affects everyone: fuel bills remain far too high in an energy-rich nation like Scotland.
Our broken energy market is still inflating the cost of electricity by tying it to volatile international gas prices, even though wind energy is now four times cheaper than gas.
But this is a welcome step by the UK Government, particularly for those rural communities that will have to live with these massive infrastructure projects for years to come.
If Scotland is to be the focus of the UK’s energy revolution, we need to see more of these benefits so that no town or village is left behind.
More thought for grieving mums
Any woman who loses a baby in a stillbirth or through miscarriage needs the best in care and support.
And there’s no doubt that Scotland’s NHS nurses and midwives are among the best in the world at helping women during this incredibly difficult time.
But campaigner Louise Caldwell believes the NHS also needs to provide separate spaces for grieving mums in hospital maternity units.
She was traumatised to be surrounded by happy families while she grieved the loss of her baby.
The Scottish Government promised separate facilities across the country by 2023 for mums like Louise. But there are only two such facilities currently in place.
It is committed to providing these spaces for grieving mums and that is welcome. But they need to move with more haste to make sure we give these women the world class care they need.