Great British Energy Bill: Second Reading
348
Ayes
—
95
Noes
Passed · Government won
209 did not vote
Analysis
Commons
Commons
**What happened:** The House of Commons voted on 5 September 2024 to approve the Great British Energy Bill at Second Reading, the stage at which MPs debate and vote on the broad principles of a proposed law. The bill passed by 348 votes to 95. Second Reading approval means the bill can proceed to further parliamentary scrutiny, but does not yet make it law. **Why it matters:** The bill proposes to create Great British Energy, a new publicly-owned company intended to invest in and develop clean energy projects across the United Kingdom. The government argues the company will accelerate the transition to renewable energy, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and ultimately lower household energy bills. If enacted, it would represent a significant expansion of direct state involvement in the energy sector, with public funds directed into wind, solar, and other low-carbon technologies. **The politics:** The vote divided almost entirely along party lines. All 333 Labour and Labour and Co-operative MPs who voted supported the bill, while 94 of the 95 No votes came from Conservatives, with one each from Reform UK and the Democratic Unionist Party. The Green Party, one Ulster Unionist, and several independents also voted in favour. There were no notable cross-party rebellions in either direction. The bill sits at the centre of Labour's flagship energy and climate agenda, and its passage at this stage was expected given the government's substantial Commons majority.
Voting Aye meant
Support creating a publicly owned national energy company to drive clean energy investment and reduce reliance on private markets for energy security
Voting No meant
Oppose creating a new state-owned energy company, arguing the market-led approach has already successfully expanded renewables and public ownership is unnecessary
443 voting MPs. Each dot is one vote; left-to-right by party. Grey dots in the centre are the 209 who did not vote.
Aye
No
Absent
Labour PartyWhipped Aye
301
0
61
Conservative and Unionist PartyWhipped No
0
94
22
Liberal Democrats
0
0
72
Labour and Co-operative PartyWhipped Aye
32
0
10
Independent
4
1
9
Scottish National Party
0
0
9
Reform UK
0
1
6
Sinn Féin
0
0
7
Democratic Unionist Party
0
1
4
Green Party of England and WalesWhipped Aye
4
0
—
Plaid Cymru
0
0
4
Social Democratic and Labour Party
0
0
2
Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
0
0
1
Speaker
0
0
1
Traditional Unionist Voice
0
0
1
Ulster Unionist Party
1
0
—
Your Party
1
0
—
Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero; supports Bill as essential to break from 14 years of fossil fuel dependence, create jobs through supply chain development, and ensure British public ownership of energy assets comparable to Nordic and French state companies.Labour · Voted aye · Read full speech (3,448 words) →
Shadow Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero; opposes Bill as a blank cheque with no investment plan, no credible path to promised £300 bill savings by 2030, poor governance structure, and risks turning into a repository for failed projects like Robin Hood Energy.Conservative · Voted no · Read full speech (3,825 words) →
Welcomes renewable energy ambition and government support for green investment but criticizes Bill for omitting community energy provisions despite Labour's manifesto commitment and the need for regulatory changes to enable local energy projects.Liberal Democrat · Voted no_vote_recorded · Read full speech (2,475 words) →
Defends Conservative record of increasing renewables from 7% to 50% of electricity; questions what state ownership will add beyond current effective private-sector-led system and challenges Secretary of State's lack of plan to deliver 2030 decarbonisation target.Conservative · Voted no · Read full speech (411 words) →
Opposes Bill, arguing £1.6 billion annual investment is insufficient to meaningfully impact the £50 billion renewable electricity market, meaning British public ownership will remain minimal.DUP · Voted no · Read full speech (926 words) →
Advocates net zero but criticizes Bill as a shell company without energy policy; demands government forecasts on balancing costs, grid infrastructure spending, and electricity imports; highlights storage and constraint payment costs not reflected in government messaging.Conservative · Voted no · Read full speech (2,768 words) →
Maiden speaker supporting Bill; highlights constituency benefits from offshore wind farms (Gwynt y Môr, North Hoyle) and potential for good-quality sustainable jobs in north Wales through Great British Energy.Labour · Voted aye · Read full speech (1,759 words) →
Maiden speaker supporting Bill; advocates sovereign UK energy investment after UK public has subsidized clean energy abroad; emphasizes government focus on transforming energy, housing and transport infrastructure.Labour · Voted aye · Read full speech (1,815 words) →
Sources
Division dataUK Parliament Votes API
DebateHansard · Commons
Stance analysisAI analysis · Claude 4.x
LicenceOpen Parliament Licence v3.0