KEIR Starmer is under pressure to name Aberdeen as the headquarters of Labour’s Great British Energy project.
More than 750 business leaders have called for the flagship scheme to be based in the city – saying it is best placed to house GB Energy because Aberdeen is a central hub for the energy sector.
While Labour have promised GB Energy will be based in Scotland, they have refused to be drawn on a more precise location.
Signatories to the letter to the Prime Minister include billionaire oil tycoon Ian Wood (above), top investment banker Martin Gilbert and Douglas Craig, the head of the multinational procurement firm Craig Group.
The letter, signed by 750 business leaders, was co-ordinated by the Aberdeen and Grampain Chamber of Commerce.
Russell Borthwick, the chamber’s chief executive, said: “Headquartering GB Energy in Aberdeen will send a clear message that the city region will remain a globally recognised energy hub and the engine room for a green transition.
“The business community of Aberdeen and Grampian is calling on Labour to recognise our strengths, to put their faith in us, and to locate Great British Energy in Aberdeen.”
And he took a swipe at Labour’s plans to tax the energy sector, adding: “The Labour Party has stated that you wish to fund GB Energy by levying taxes on this sector.
“We believe that there should be some benefit in return.”
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray (below) was evasive when asked about the plans on Friday, the Press and Journal reports.
He said: "I’ve only been in this job a week, with all the bids that I’ve had there is probably going to have to be 72 GB Energies to satisfy the whole of Scotland.
“We made the commitment it would be based in Scotland.
“It will be headquartered here for a number of very good practical reasons but also because this is where the energy is being produced, and therefore it should be here.
“It will be announced soon. But I can guarantee a scoop, it will definitely be in Scotland.”
But Aberdeen could face a strong challenge in a rival bid for the Highlands to host GB Energy.
A group including Inverness Chamber of Commerce chief executive Colin Marr, Highland Council CEO Derek Brown last week wrote to Energy Secretary Ed Milliband (below) calling for it to be based in their patch.
While previously touted as a publicly-owned energy company, Labour have since clarified it will not produce energy itself.
The project will instead be used to put public money into green energy companies, with the aim of boosting private investment.
