What Sir Keir Starmer's 'Plan for Change' means for Scotland - devolution, SNP and energy

In a speech at Pinewood Studios on Thursday, Sir Keir Starmer sought to strike an optimistic note after a challenging five months in power, saying Britain was “broken, but not beyond repair” and could still “do great things”.

Arguing his government had taken action to “fix the foundations”, Sir Keir set out six “milestones” that he said would allow the public to “hold our feet to the fire” on the missions he set for himself before the election.

A key milestone from the speech was pledging a genuine partnership with devolved governments on “shared priorities of working people – from ending hospital backlogs, putting bobbies back on the beat and giving children the best start in life”.

For Scotland, the UK government has promised to raise living standards with the highest sustained growth in the G7, and secure home-grown energy to protect bill payers, ensuring Britain is on track for 95 per cent clean power by 2030.

Ministers have also made clear this will involve seeking to address issues in Scotland, whether they are devolved or not. UK government figures argue Scotland has always been at the forefront of their plans, citing Sir Keir’s meeting with First Minister John Swinney within the first 24 hours of taking office, and the £47.7 billion settlement in 2025/26 – the largest in real terms in the history of devolution.

Most of the milestones announced don’t apply to Scotland, and for those areas that are within the remit of the Scottish Government, ministers want to work closely with them in a “real partnership” to deliver for communities in Scotland. The message from the UK government is explicit - “devolved or not, that is what people in Scotland want and expect from both of their governments”.

While the UK government stresses it “wholeheartedly respects and supports devolution”, it says it wants to work with the Scottish Government to deliver on the people’s priorities, ending short-term, “sticking plaster” politics.

Other targets announced on Thursday were building 1.5 million homes in England, making 150 planning decisions on major infrastructure projects, and ensuring that 92 per cent of patients waited no longer than 18 weeks for NHS treatment in England. Other pledges were providing a named police officer for every neighbourhood and having 75 per cent of children start school with a good level of development. These don’t apply to Scotland, but show a wider intent and the priorities of a Starmer government.

Speaking after the speech, which was attended by the Cabinet and numerous MPs, Scottish Secretary Ian Murray pledged to boost the “pride and potential of every part of the United Kingdom”.

He said: “Our Plan for Change starts by fixing the foundations of our economy. Our mission for growth will bring investment and reform, improving living standards for working people. It will be the foundation from which our public services missions will flow. Our mission for green energy will see Great British Energy, headquartered in Aberdeen, help achieve clean energy by 2030, while also creating skilled jobs for Scottish workers.

“We have reset the relationship with the Scottish Government and will work constructively with partners to deliver the change we promised, for the whole United Kingdom.”