UK Government ‘hoodwinking’ public over GB Energy, says John Swinney

Scotland: John Swinney, the First Minister, is calling out the UK Government. He says they are “hoodwinking” the public about GB Energy’s ability to lower energy bills.

GB Energy was created after Labour’s election win. It’s based in Aberdeen, known as Europe’s oil and gas hub. The goal was to help cut costs for consumers.

However, GB Energy’s boss, Juergen Maier, recently said it might take 20 years to hire 1,000 people. He also didn’t provide a timeline for when bills would drop.

During a visit to Fife, Swinney criticized the UK Government. He supports GB Energy’s efforts but believes the Labour Government made unrealistic promises.

Swinney stated that people were promised lower fuel bills. But now, it seems those promises won’t be fulfilled anytime soon.

Maier acknowledged the public’s concerns but emphasized that GB Energy is just starting out. He assured that they will work on reducing energy bills.

Swinney expressed his worries about high fuel costs in energy-rich Scotland. He feels the Labour Party has misled the public regarding these issues.

Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay also weighed in, calling the agency a “con trick.” He criticized the Labour Party for not being clear about GB Energy before the election.

Maggie Chapman, a Scottish Green MSP, described GB Energy as a potential failure. She questioned its ability to lower bills or create jobs, emphasizing the need for a better energy system.