Meeting of the Parliament 20 February 2025
Members will remember that, in the debate two weeks ago in which when we agreed to the LCM on the Great British Energy Bill, it was flagged up that there would be subsequent amendments that would require our approval in the Scottish Parliament.
The amendment states that GB Energy
“must keep under review the impact of its activities on the achievement of sustainable development in the United Kingdom.”
It is a crucial amendment because it ensures that we have more joined-up thinking, which some of us have been calling for for a long time—and continue to do so; for example, in my upcoming wellbeing and sustainable development bill.
Many of the sustainable development goals that need to be addressed fall under the remit of the Scottish Government, so our Parliament needs to debate the issue and give its consent to the LCM. Scottish Labour will support the LCM today.
GB Energy will incentivise new and emerging technologies, such as marine renewables and floating offshore wind, so that we can maximise the new job opportunities and get the range of new clean energy and heat supplies that we urgently need to support supply chains and investment in green manufacturing.
In my previous speech on the issue, I focused on the need for a “more joined-up approach” between the new UK Government, the Scottish Government and our councils. However, we also need to focus on decent job opportunities. Financial support for offshore wind developers so that they invest in their areas, including in traditional oil and gas communities, is part of the clean industry bonus deal.
As Ed Miliband said, this is our clean energy “superpower” mission. Part of the transition is about kick-starting growth, delivering energy security and transforming towns and cities, from the ports of Nigg and Leith to the manufacturing hubs of Blyth and Hull. We need to be part of that process and we need a just and fair transition. If we are to get sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, decent work for all and the building of resilient infrastructure and the promotion of inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, we need to see GB Energy delivering in practice. As I raised with the First Minister this week, the work of the Scottish Government sits alongside that, including the
“long-awaited energy strategy and just transition plan”.—[Official Report, 18 February 2025; c 39.]