Labour energy plans will lower bills and create thousands of jobs, says Sarwar

Labour’s energy plans will deliver lower bills, more jobs and unlock the renewable energy potential of the North East and all of Scotland, Anas Sarwar has said.

The Scottish Labour leader said his party’s plans would deliver a just transition for the North East ahead of a visit to Aberdeen.

He added that this will ensure the area remains an energy powerhouse for generations to come.

He said Labour “will deliver the renewable energy infrastructure that we need for the future.”

Sarwar said: “This election is an opportunity to deliver the change that Scotland needs.

“Labour’s bold energy plans would put Scotland in the global forefront of the transition to green energy.

“There will be a global leader in the transition – with Labour Scotland can be that leader.

“Our plans will deliver some 69,000 jobs to Scotland and drive down bills for Scots – paid for by a windfall tax on the excess profits of oil and gas giants.

“While the SNP tie themselves in knots on energy, Labour is clear – oil and gas will be part of the energy mix for decades to come and a Labour government will deliver the renewable energy infrastructure that we need for the future.

“A Labour government with Scottish Labour MPs at its heart will bring down bills, deliver jobs and establish energy security.

“This is our opportunity for change – let’s deliver it together.”

Labour has committed to creating a publicly owned energy company – called GB Energy – if it wins the general election.

The party has said that GB energy will create 53,000 new clean energy jobs in Scotland.

This will be done by boosting investment in the energy technologies that Scotland could be a world leader in.

Labour said its Green Prosperity Plan will be funded in part by a proper windfall tax on the eye-watering profits of oil and gas giants.

The SNP is against a windfall tax on big oil and gas as it says the levy would cause a loss of jobs in the north-east.

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