Scottish Govt to set up a publicly-owned, not-for-profit energy company

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BBC News report 12/10/17

The Scottish government is to set up a publicly-owned, not-for-profit energy company, Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed.

The SNP leader told the party’s conference that the company will sell energy to customers at “as close to cost price as possible”.

Ms Sturgeon said it would be set up by 2021, and would give people – particularly on low incomes – more choice of which supplier to use.

She also said the SNP will “always make the case for independence”.




And while the Scottish government has delayed plans for a second independence referendum, Ms Sturgeon insisted that the SNP still had a mandate for a vote on the issue.

She described the “essence of independence” as being “in charge of the decisions that shape your destiny” and “being in the driving seat and not simply at the mercy of events”.

The first minister declared: “We are the party of independence. The case for independence doesn’t depend on Brexit. But Brexit does show us what can happen when we don’t control our own future”.

Among Ms Sturgeon’s other announcements were:

A “truly transformational” doubling of spending on early-years childcare to £840m by 2020

A new scheme to provide free sanitary products in schools, colleges and universities from next August

All young people leaving care will be exempt from paying council tax

A £6m fund to help the tourist industry in Scotland’s more remote areas

Confirmed the 1% public sector pay will be lifted in Scotland

Announced that permission has been granted to the people of Ulva, an island off the west coast of Mull, to bring their island into community ownership

Article Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-41560397