TONY Blair yesterday stepped up pressure on the Scottish Executive to accept new nuclear power stations, claiming that the UK "depends" on the energy generated by Scotland's existing reactors.

The Prime Minister has signalled that his energy review next month will endorse the replacement of Britain's ageing generation of nuclear reactors.

Despite Mr Blair's enthusiasm for nuclear energy, the Scottish Executive has the legal power to block any new power stations north of the Border.

Scottish ministers are committed to that veto until questions over waste are resolved, though many expect Scottish Labour to drop its objections under Downing Street pressure.

Jo Swinson, the Liberal Democrats' shadow Scottish spokesman, yesterday challenged Mr Blair about the effective Scottish veto.

While the Prime Minister said he respected the Executive's legal powers, he gave a clear signal that he expects Jack McConnell, the First Minister, to remember Scotland's role in the UK electricity grid when considering its nuclear options.

"Scotland does have nuclear power stations now and a large part of the electricity of the whole of the country actually depends on that," Mr Blair said.