SNP accused of missing chance of fracking jobs

Scotland faces the prospect of reliance on English gas to “keep the pipes warm” because of SNP dithering on fracking, according to the Scottish Conservatives.

Its leader Ruth Davidson said the kicking of the issue of shale gas “into the long grass” by Nicola Sturgeon risks thousands of jobs across the country.

The SNP has imposed a temporary ban on the energy extraction technique while it investigates the potential for harm.

Ms Davidson told the SNP leader at First Minister’s Questions: “It is quite possible that shale gas in the rest of the UK will get the go-ahead soon if local communities back it.

“And if it does, providers say that much of that gas will go to Grangemouth and will end up in the National Grid powering many Scottish homes.

“Sowecould end up with the ban on Scottish gas, but with Scottish homes reliant on English gas to keep the pipes warm.”

Ms Sturgeon said her Government is looking at all the evidence before making a final decision. “Given the concerns that have been raised both domestically here in Scotland andin otherparts of theUK and in many other countries we will continue to take that evidence-based approach,” she told MSPs.

“I will leave Ruth Davidson to explain to communities across the Central Belt in Scotland why her party would choose to ride roughshod over the concerns that have been raised.”

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