How To Own Scottish Energy

Briefing Note

Credits — Common Weal

Overview

Gillian Martin, currently acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, has responded to a recent poll showing overwhelming support for public ownership of Scottish energy by again claiming that the Scotland Act prevents the Government from making this happen. This claim is disingenuous, misleading and is based on a limited reading of a law that is obsolete and should be changed.

The Scotland Act does indeed prevent the Scottish Government and Scottish Ministers from ‘owning, generating, transmitting or storing’ electricity which, on the face of it, would prevent a National Electricity Company.

However, other options within the Scottish devolved settlement would allow Scottish energy to be brought into public ownership. This briefing note outlines those options.