No location announced for GB Energy

No location has been announced for the headquarters of the forthcoming government-owned energy company.

Confirmation of the legislation to set up Great British Energy (GB Energy) was included in the Labour government’s first King’s Speech.

It will be a “publicly owned, clean power company headquartered in Scotland which will help accelerate investment in renewable energy such as offshore wind,” the King said.

But no further detail on where it will be based has been given.

There have been calls for it to be in Aberdeen, given the city’s role in energy historically, but both the Highlands and Edinburgh are thought to be under consideration.

Speaking to the BBC earlier, chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden said the decision would be taken “in due course”. He said: “I think it's a huge opportunity for Scotland, the energy transition is one that's for the whole of the UK. I think it'll be great to have the headquarters of that in Scotland, exactly where, we'll announce in due course.”

The King’s Speech, delivered by King Charles but written by the UK Government, sets out the legislative programme for the next year. It contained 39 bills it will seek to introduce, 23 of which will apply in whole or in part to Scotland.

Scottish secretary Ian Murray said: “This is a King’s Speech which will deliver the change our country needs. It will deliver for all four nations of the UK and all four corners of Scotland. 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.”

Documents released alongside the speech confirm GB Energy will develop, own and operate assets, supported by £8.3bn over the course of the parliament. It will invest in partnership with the private sector.

Other bills which will apply to Scotland include the Employments Rights Bill to ban exploitative employment practices and enhance worker rights, one to legalise production of sustainable aviation fuel, and a Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill.

But the SNP said it was a “missed opportunity” that had “failed to deliver the change” people had voted for.

The party had been calling for an end to the two-child benefit cap, more measures to tackle the cost-of-living, extra cash for the NHS and the devolution of more powers to the Scottish Parliament.

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.”

Some items from the last UK government will also be reintroduced, including a smoking ban and limiting the sale and marketing of vapes.

A ban on conversion practices was also confirmed. Although this will not apply to Scotland, the Scottish Government is currently working on introducing its own ban and is expected to work with UK ministers on the matter.

The UK Government has also pledged to convene a new Council of Nations and Regions, bringing together heads of the devolve nations of mayors to work together.

Deputy first minister Kate Forbes welcomed the plan. 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."

The Scottish Government's own legislative programme for the year ahead will be published in September.

The 23 bills in the King's Speech which apply wholly or in part to Scotland are:

• National Wealth Fund Bill
• Pensions Schemes Bill
• Planning and Infrastructure Bill [some measures]
• Employment Rights Bill
• Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill
• Railways Bill 
• Bank Resolution (Recapitalisation) Bill
• Product Safety and Metrology Bill
• Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill 
• Armed Forces Commissioner Bill 
• Digital Information and Smart Data Bill 
• Draft Audit Reform and Corporate Governance Bill
• Great British Energy Bill
• Sustainable Aviation Fuel (Revenue support Mechanism) Bill 
• Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill [Reintroduced] 
• Draft Equality (Race and Disability) Bill 
• Tobacco and Vapes Bill [Reintroduced] 
• Hillsborough Law [Public Candour] Bill 
• House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill
• Cyber Security and Resilience Bill 
• Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and International Committee of the Red Cross (Status) Bill
• Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015 (Extension) Bill
• Budget Responsibility Bill
• Renters Rights Bill [only regarding discrimination against tenants on benefits or with children]

The King’s Speech also included reference to global insecurity, with a commitment to create a new security pact with the EU to “strengthen cooperation on threats”.

It also said the UK’s commitment to Nato was “unshakeable” and offered “full support to Ukraine”, as well as supporting a two-state solution in the Middle East.

A debate on the contents of the King’s Speech will get underway on Wednesday afternoon, which will continue of the next few days.