THE Government’s decision not to fast track the planned Scottish carbon capture cluster makes no economic or environmental sense and is a body blow to Scotland, Boris Johnson has been told.

Business leaders have written to the Prime Minister expressing huge disappointment at the decision made by the Government last week to prioritise plans to develop two clusters covering areas in Northern England and Wales.

The areas concerned include so-called Red Wall seats that were won by the Conservatives from Labour at the last general election. The clusters they contain are set to receive hefty Government support in order to allow then to become operational by the mid-2020s.

The Government said the Scottish cluster plan had met the eligibility criteria for support but would only enjoy reserve status.

The decision was a big setback for the Scottish cluster, which supporters said enjoyed stand-out status as a result of the advantages conferred by factors such as Scotland’s oil and gas industry legacy. It centres on the Acorn project, which will involve capturing emissions from across Scotland for storage in depleted North Sea reservoirs.

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In the letter to Mr Johnson, leaders of eight business organisations say of the decision not to fast-track the Scottish cluster: “In our view this makes no economic or environmental sense and is a real blow to Scotland.”

They add: “It has become clear that several of the key advantages that the Scottish Cluster offers to the UK did not factor in the decision making criteria.”

The advantages cited include the ability of the Scottish cluster to handle emissions shipped from other parts of the UK and potentially overseas via Peterhead Port and the fact that 35 per cent of the UK’s natural gas arrives at the St Fergus terminal in Aberdeenshire.

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The letter continues: “A third active cluster in the UK will contribute significantly to economic growth, job creation and export of products, services and expertise.” Declaring it is time to be bold, the signatories urge the UK Government to reconsider its decision and add the Scottish Cluster to the Track 1 programme.

They include oil services tycoon Sir Ian Wood, who chairs Aberdeen’s Energy Transition Zone; CBI Scotland director Tracy Back and Scottish Chambers of Commerce chief executive Liz Cameron.