Richard Baker
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Richard Baker (Glenrothes and Mid Fife) (Lab)
I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow East (John Grady) for securing this important debate on Scotland’s economy at such an important time. Scotland has a rich heritage in industry, commerce and innovation—a legacy on which we must build and be far more ambitious for our future.
Ten days ago I visited the InchDairnie distillery in my constituency, which is an exemplar of that approach to economic growth. The team at the distillery are leading innovation in one of our oldest but still most significant industries, developing new whiskies with grains sourced entirely locally, and they are a living-wage employer. They are investing in the future as well, by installing a new boiler system for the distillation process that is hydrogen-ready.
It is very appropriate that InchDairnie has taken that foresighted approach to its energy use when, in Buckhaven in my constituency, SGN is investing in a pilot programme for domestic hydrogen use in 300 homes in the community. That virtuous cycle continues with the hydrogen boilers used in those homes that were let by Bosch, which is a major employer in Glenrothes. The importance of those and many other renewable businesses in my constituency shows how vital the decision has been by this UK Government to deliver a step change in our ambition for Scotland and the UK to be a green energy powerhouse. That is why this Government’s decision to establish GB Energy, headquartered in Scotland in the wonderful city of Aberdeen and backed by £8 billion of investment from the windfall profits of oil and gas giants, is such a vital initiative for Scotland and for my constituency. This morning we have heard no alternative proposal to invest billions of pounds in that vital industry for the future.
To conclude, I very much agree with the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross (Jamie Stone) on the importance of our fabrication yards for the future of this industry. The Methil yard in my constituency that is currently going to be sold, with that process taking place under Harland and Wolff, has a fantastic role to play in the future of our renewables sector. The contribution of the 200 steelworker apprentices at that yard will be vital if we are to achieve that crucial ambition for Scotland and the UK to be a leader in green energy for the future.