GB Energy will secure Scotland's position as a clean energy
superpower after years of SNP and Tory failure, Scottish Labour
has said following a drop in Scottish energy businesses.
A recent Scottish Government report has revealed that the number
of registered enterprises in the energy and renewables industry
hit a 10-year low in 2023 under the SNP and Tories, plummeting by
18 per cent since a peak in 2020.
The same report revealed that since 2020, around 1,000 jobs have
been lost from the sector despite some improvement on the
previous year.
Scottish Labour has said this is the result of SNP and Tory
neglect, accusing both parties of having “no plan for the
future”. The SNP government has faced criticism for the length of
time it has taken to publish its final Energy and Just Transition
Strategy, having published a draft version in January 2023.
The UK Labour government recently announced a new deal with the
Scottish Government for GB Energy to work with Scottish public
bodies to support clean energy supply chains, as well as setting
out plans to accelerate the delivery of a ‘skills passport' to
support oil and gas workers in the move to renewables.
Scottish Labour's leader and Net Zero spokesperson
went on a trip to German
state-owned energy company EnBW this week to discuss Labour's
plans for GB Energy.
Commenting, Scottish Labour Net Zero spokesperson said “Scotland's
energy industry is one of our key economic assets, but years of
neglect by the SNP and the Tories has left it in a precarious
state.
“For too long oil and gas workers have been let down by two
governments with no plan for the future – but Labour will turn
the tide and secure Scotland's place as a clean energy
superpower.
“Labour is already at work to build a bright future for
Scotland's energy industry, with our publicly-owned GB Energy
company at the heart of these plans.
“The UK Labour government reiterated its cast-iron commitment to
supporting Scotland's energy sector by setting out plans for GB
Energy to work with Scottish bodies and by accelerating the
delivery of a skills passport for oil and gas workers, which will
be essential for a just transition.
“Oil and gas will remain a part of Scotland's energy mix for
decades to come, and with Labour Scotland's energy industry will
thrive.
“Labour has a plan to make Scotland home to the jobs and
industries of the future, all while delivering cheaper, cleaner
energy for households.”
ENDS
Notes
TABLE 1.1 - NUMBER OF REGISTERED ENTERPRISES BY EMPLOYEE
SIZEBAND, 2010-2023
|
|
2013
|
2014
|
2015
|
2016
|
2017
|
2018
|
2019
|
2020
|
2021
|
2022
|
2023
|
|
Energy (including Renewables)
|
3,085
|
3,580
|
3,905
|
4,000
|
3,925
|
3,955
|
4,100
|
4,155
|
4,005
|
3,695
|
3,420
|
TABLE 2.5 - EMPLOYMENT, SCOTLAND, 2009-20221
|
|
2020
|
2021
|
2022
|
|
Energy (including Renewables)
|
69,000
|
65,000
|
68,000
|
Source: https://www.gov.scot/publications/industry-statistics/
“Action to boost jobs and investment for clean energy in
Scotland”: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/action-to-boost-jobs-and-investment-for-clean-energy-in-scotland
The SNP government's Draft Energy and Just Transition Strategy
was published in January 2023: https://www.gov.scot/publications/draft-energy-strategy-transition-plan/
