UK Government funding for Universal theme park sparks SNP carbon capture row

SNP anger as Chancellor gives new theme park £1.3bn   Acorn By-election Carbon capture Scottish Conservatives Scottish Labour SNP Politics Aberdeen Scotland (Image: Stefan Rousseau/PA) This article is brought to you , and has been written . It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. The SNP has accused the UK Government of “blowing” £1.3 billion on a new Universal theme park in Bedfordshire while carbon capture plans in the north-east remain uncertain. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the government cash for the resort in Kempston Hardwick would "unlock nearly £50bn of economic growth" and help create thousands of jobs. Rachel Reeves and senior execs from Universal (Image: Universal) But Richard Thomson, the SNP’s candidate in the Aberdeen South by-election, said the funding decision made no sense, particularly given the uncertainty around the Acorn carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) project in Aberdeenshire. John Swinney steps in as US revokes travel permits for Tartan Army Swinney pledges to strengthen women's health services amid growing pressure Official casts doubt on whether John Swinney will co-operate with Murrell inquiry It aims to capture carbon dioxide emissions from industrial facilities and power plants, transporting them offshore to be permanently stored in depleted gas fields beneath the North Sea. The project plans to reuse existing oil and gas infrastructure, notably pipelines that already run from St Fergus out to former drilling sites. Acorn missed out on support in 2021, when funding instead went to two areas in the north of England. It was placed on the Track 2 reserve list for future backing, which meant it had little chance of being developed until the second phase in the 2030s at the earliest. However, last year, UK Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, promised £200m to develop the site. But the project ran into issues last December when one of the co-owners, Storegga, put its 30% stake up for sale. Mr Thomson said: “Westminster is taking Scotland for a ride – how on earth can they justify blowing £1.3 billion on a theme park while thousands of north-east energy jobs are being lost? “Carbon capture at Peterhead is absolutely critical to the north-east energy sector, delivering thousands of jobs, investment and a sustainable future for our offshore industries. “The SNP is the only party that backs carbon capture. The Tories and Reform have thwarted and opposed these vital jobs, while the Labour Party has, as usual, made promise after promise on investment without ever delivering.” (Image: PA) A Scottish Labour spokesperson hit back at the SNP.