The SNP has criticised the UK Labour Government after GB Energy announced a £7.5 million investment in an English solar technology company.

The latest funding will support Naked Energy, which provides solar thermal technology, including installations at Wimbledon.

The announcement has prompted fresh criticism from the SNP, which claims the investment is another example of GB Energy funding projects in England rather than delivering the jobs promised for Scotland.

The party says Labour pledged that its flagship publicly owned energy company would create thousands of jobs in Scotland, with its headquarters based north of the border.

The SNP argues that promise has not been fulfilled and claims only a small number of jobs have so far been created in Scotland through GB Energy.

The party also linked the announcement to wider concerns over employment in Scotland’s energy sector.

SNP Energy spokesperson Graham Leadbitter MP said:

“We were told GB Energy would create “thousands of jobs” with Scottish voters promised the Labour Party would create 70,000 roles in Scotland, absolutely none of that has come to fruition.

“As few as 13 jobs have been created by GB Energy in Scotland with money syphoned off to fund nuclear power plants and solar panels in England, now this latest wheeze.

“I am sure the punters at Wimbledon will be chuffed by this announcement, but the thousands of energy workers in Scotland have been badly betrayed once again.

“Grangemouth has been shut down, Labour’s supertax on Scotland’s energy is ruining 1000 energy jobs a month and their flagship “GB Energy” is diverting investment south of the border, it’s no wonder more and more people are concluding we need a fresh start with independence to put Scotland’s energy in Scotland’s hands.”

The UK Government has not responded to the SNP’s latest criticism in the information provided.