Labour rolling up our sleeves, says Murray, as GB Energy Bill confirmed

A total of 24 of the Bills outlined in the King’s Speech are expected to affect Scotland at least partially.

Labour says GB Energy will help to reduce energy bills (PA) (PA Wire)

The Scottish Secretary says Labour is “rolling up our sleeves”, as the King’s Speech confirmed the Government’s intentions over a GB Energy Bill and stronger relationships with devolved administrations.

In the first legislative programme of the newly-elected Labour UK Government, there was also a commitment for a National Wealth Fund to invest in the green industries of the future.

A total of 24 out of the 39 Bills in the King’s Speech are expected to affect Scotland at least partially.

Prominently, the Great British Energy Bill is aimed at creating a “clean energy transition” which will bring down prices for consumers.

The monarch’s speech said the legislation would set up “a publicly owned clean power company headquartered in Scotland, which will help accelerate investment in renewable energy such as offshore wind”.

Briefing notes stated GB Energy would be capitalised with £8.3 billion in new money in the current session of Parliament.

The exact location of GB Energy’s headquarters is not expected to be revealed until later in the process.

Sir Keir Starmer’s Government also pledged to “strengthen” its work with the devolved administrations and will set up a new Council of the Nations and Regions to bring different levels of government together.

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said the King’s Speech will “deliver for all four nations of the UK and all four corners of Scotland”.

He said: “We have a bold and ambitious legislative programme which will ensure we deliver on our mandate.

“Our plans will deliver growth and jobs for our economy. It will establish GB Energy, a publicly owned energy generation company which will create jobs and cut bills for good, and establish a National Wealth Fund to invest in the industries and jobs of the future.”

Mr Murray also highlighted the promises on improving workers’ rights, such as increasing the minimum wage to “a real living wage”.

He continued: “We have been clear that we want to reset our relationship with the Scottish Government, and to work together to deliver better outcomes for people.

“Our rail ownership Bill will ensure that ScotRail is kept in public hands, and we want to work with the Scottish Government to pass laws that will reduce the availability of addictive vapes to young people.

“We promised change. This King’s Speech demonstrates we are rolling up our sleeves and delivering that change.”

However, the SNP said the speech was a “missed opportunity” to deliver change.

Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said: “People in Scotland voted for clear and substantial change at Westminster, and the Labour Government was handed a huge mandate to deliver it, so it’s bitterly disappointing that they have thrown that opportunity away.

“While some of the small measures announced are welcome, they fail to deal with the major challenges facing the UK. There was no plan to eradicate child poverty, no plan to tackle the cost of living and no plan to end Tory austerity and boost NHS funding.

“And with no plan to reverse the damage of Brexit or properly invest in green energy, Starmer is restricting the potential for strong growth in the economy, wages and living standards.

“For Scotland, there was no plan to deliver the maximum devolution that Labour promised during the independence referendum and, despite promising to abolish the House of Lords for more than a century, they are only planning to tinker around the edges.”

Scotland’s Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said she looks forward to “early and meaningful engagement on UK Bills”.

She said: “The Prime Minister has said he wants to reset the relationship with the Scottish Government, respect the devolution settlement and work constructively together.

“I am pleased to see this approach reflected in the King’s Speech, and we will support the opportunities it presents to improve the lives of people in Scotland.”