Scottish Government Move To Cut Public Service Energy Costs
The Scottish government has received a warm round of applause from power companies and tax payer protection groups alike with news that all public body energy contracts north of the border will be put out to tender. Rather than 'a few hundred' contracts worth £200 million each, bids will be sought to supply electricity to local councils, health boards, police, fire services and an array of other public funded bodies under one contract.
While large companies south of the border, such as Marks and Spencer and Boots, already operate such a tender system this is the first time any government has taken the bull by the horns in this manner. It is hoped that competitive pricing for the large contract will save the public purse in the region of £50 million a year, leaving more money to be ploughed back into the economy.
Even though the SNP has made mistakes and dropped a number of their manifesto aims they have a habit of doing the right things at the right time. Support for the SNP is rising in Scotland while the Conservative and Labour Party drop out of contention - with Labour in particular feeling the force of voter unrest over the last 12 months. The PR which will follow this move by the SNP will catch the eye of more disgruntled Labour voters.
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