UK general election live: Starmer hails clean energy plan but Swinney warns of jobs ‘bodyblow’

David Graham

11 months ago

UK general election live: Starmer hails clean energy plan but Swinney warns of jobs ‘bodyblow’ – BBC News

Summary

Keir Starmer and the SNP’s John Swinney clash over Labour’s plans for clean energy company “GB Energy”
The Labour leader, speaking in Scotland, says GB Energy would help the transition to Net Zero and ensure jobs for this generation and the next
Starmer says GB Energy is “not an energy company”, but an investment vehicle for up to £8bn of public money
But Swinney, speaking at the same time, says the move would be a “bodyblow” for jobs in Scotland’s oil and gas sector
He also says he’s not certain on the detail – saying if GB Energy is only an investment vehicle “we’ve got lots of them” already
The Scottish Greens accuse Labour of U-turn – the Greens say GB Energy was supposed to produce clean power, not just invest in it
Meanwhile, Rishi Sunak is in the north-west of England, as the Tories unveil plans to punish fly-tippers further by adding points to their driving licences