Print this out and keep it handy for the next time you meet somebody who believes the Labour myth that Scotland is being left behind on nuclear energy.

Health Risks

German research suppressed by Labour Government and media in 2008 revealed under 5’s living near nuclear plants more than twice as likely to develop leukaemia.[i]

The Sellafield Nuclear re-processing plant responsible for levels of radioactivity in Maidens shellfish and in Troon Harbour Seals way above the safe level. [ii]

Ayrshire Labour back new nuclear power stations that have made Scotland the ‘Cancer Capital of Europe’ [iii]

Researchers revisit study of Essex nuclear power station and breast cancer incidence among mature women nearby to find an even greater risk. [iv]

Security Risks

The Sellafield nuclear site was hacked by groups linked to Russia and China [v]

The small modular reactors planned by UK government are at greater risk of terror attacks. [vi]

Cost of Electricity

Each unit of electricity generated by nuclear (£109MHh) will cost more than twice as much as by wind (£38-£44) before clean-up costs.[vii]

Cost of maintenance and clear-up

Nuclear power produces waste that lasts in the soil for possibly as long as 2,000 generations.[viii]

Three French nuclear power stations shut down this summer as jellyfish swarm cooling pipes.[ix]

Nuclear energy’s biggest selling point WAS running 365 days of the year, wind or no wind but heat and drought this year have changed all that shutting much of it down.[x]

Disaster Risk

Nuclear power is unique among energy sources in its potential for catastrophe—meltdown, fuel diversion, and weaponisation. A life-cycle analysis of 388 nuclear plants finds that all reactors, large and small, are susceptible to nuclear incidents.[xi]

Sources: Note – Talking-up Scotland sources contain several official links within.

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[i] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2696975/

[ii] https://www.thenational.scot/news/24091797.sellafield-nuclear-plant-cancer-fears-raised-scottish-mp/

[iii] https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2026/01/19/ayrshire-labour-mp-backs-new-nuclear-power-stations-that-have-made-scotland-the-cancer-capital-of-europe/

[iv] https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2026/02/20/a-message-for-scotlands-voters-as-labour-double-down-on-nuclear-researchers-revisit-study-of-essex-nuclear-power-station-and-breast-cancer-incidence-among-mature-women-nearby-to-find-an-even-great/

[v] https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/dec/04/sellafield-nuclear-site-hacked-groups-russia-china

[vi] https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/security-planning-for-small-modular-reactors-not-where-it-should-be-academic-says-28-11-2024/

[vii] https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi-202400420100/

[viii] https://timesofsandiego.com/environment/2026/08/31/experts-warn-san-onofres-nuclear-waste-could-remain-dangerous-for-2000-generations/

[ix] https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/jellyfish-hit-french-nuclear-plant-shuts-down-three-reactors-2026-08-11/

[x] https://www.dw.com/en/romania-shuts-nuclear-plant-hungary-dams-dry-danube-river/a-78359581

[xi] https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)01304-8/fulltext?rss=yes