THE SNP have slammed the UK Government after it was revealed that the new boss of GB Energy will be based in England.
At the Labour Party conference in September, Keir Starmer announced that GB Energy – Labour’s publicly-owned energy company – will be headquartered in Aberdeen.
Yet we told how Juergen Maier – the former Siemens boss who was appointed to the role in July – will take up an office at the UK Government’s Trinity Bridge House building in Salford, Greater Manchester.
The move has been slammed by the SNP, which said it showed how “people still don’t understand what GB Energy is”.
READ MORE: Kemi Badenoch in row with BBC Scotland presenter over 'voluntary union' comments
When the GB Energy bill was first introduced in the House of Commons, it was just four pages long.
At the time, the SNP’s Westminster economy and energy spokesperson, Dave Doogan, criticised the bill for lacking detail.
“Talk about net zero, there’s zero detail in this bill to give us an indication of what is actually going to happen on the ground,” he said.
Now, Doogan (above) has told The National that the latest development shows how the UK Government is taking advantage of Scotland’s resources.
Doogan said: “To be completely plain about it, this sums UK energy policy up - command and miscontrol of Scotland's resources from hundreds of miles away.”
READ MORE: Scottish Greens will vote against SNP Budget if it cuts council funding
He added: "Quite frankly people still don't understand what GB Energy is, but it speaks volumes about the priorities of GB Energy that the chairman doesn't see the need to base himself at the epicentre of our energy sector.”
The UK Government said that whilst Maier is currently resident in Manchester, he will travel “to engage businesses and partners in Scotland and across the UK”.
A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: “Great British Energy will help make Britain a clean energy superpower, accelerating our journey to net zero through cheap, homegrown energy that will bring down bills and boost energy independence.
“It will be headquartered in Aberdeen, recognising the expertise, skilled workforce and diversity of projects already in place. The Chair and Board will also regularly spend time in the city, including with the local community and businesses.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel