Difference between revisions of "ScottishPower"

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[[Image:Scottish power.JPG|right|210px|thumb|Scottish Power logo{{ref|1}}]]
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[[Image:Scottish power.JPG|right|210px|thumb|Scottish Power logo<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_Power  Scottish Power logo]</ref>]]
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[[Image:Glasgow.JPG|right|140px|thumb|Glasgow, Scotland{{ref|2}}]]
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[[Image:Glasgow.JPG|right|140px|thumb|Glasgow, Scotland<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glasgow  Glasgow image]</ref>]]
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:'''Address''': 1 Atlantic Quay, Glasgow, G2 8SP
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:'''Phone''': 0141 248 8200
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Based in Glasgow, Scotland, '''ScottishPower Plc''' is a vertically integrated energy company and was Britain's fifth-largest energy supplier. As part of the utilities industry, it is the distribution network operator for the central and southern Scotland and the Merseyside and North Wales regions. The company also supplies electricity and natural gas to homes and business around the United Kingdom and generates power for supply to the grid. It owns '''[[PPM Energy]]''' in the United States and is quoted on the '''London Stock Exchange''' and has a secondary listing on the '''New York Stock Exchange''', as well.
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In 2006 the Spanish energy giant [[Iberdrola]] made an £11.6bn takeover bid. The offer was formally approved by shareholders at an EGM on 30 March 2007, effectively creating Europe's third largest utility company.
  
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Based in Glasgow, Scotland, '''ScottishPower Plc''' is a vertically integrated energy company and is Britain's fifth-largest energy supplier.{{ref|3}} As part of the utilities industry, it is the distribution network operator for the central and southern Scotland and the Merseyside and North Wales regions. The company also supplies electricity and natural gas to homes and business around the United Kingdom and generates power for supply to the grid. It owns '''[[PPM Energy]]''' in the United States and is also quoted on the '''London Stock Exchange''' as part of the FTSE 100 Index, and has a secondary listing on the '''New York Stock Exchange'''.
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They are also donors to the [[Labour Party]].
  
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:[[Scottish Power]] has a number of divisions and subsidiaries, which can be found here:  
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==Structure==
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*[[Scottish Power: Divisons]]
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Scottish Power has a number of divisions and subsidiaries:  
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*[[Scottish Power: Divisions]]
 
*[[Scottish Power: Subsidiaries]]
 
*[[Scottish Power: Subsidiaries]]
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
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[[Scottish Power]] was formed in 1990, in preparation for the privatisation of the previously nationalised Scottish electricity industry the following year. Previously the UK government had privatised the English and Welsh electricity industry by splitting the market into 12 regional electricity companies (RECs) and two power generators. However in Scotland, the industry was already organised on an integrated generation, distribution and supply basis, and this integration survived the privatisation to become a model for the rest of the United Kingdom. [[Scottish Power]] was largely formed from of the larger of the two Scottish electricity boards, the '''South of Scotland Electricity Board''', whilst the other, the '''North of Scotland Hydro Board''', eventually became part of the '''Scottish and Southern Energy Group''' (the nuclear power stations in Scotland were spun off into a third company, '''Scottish Nuclear''', which was not sold off with [[Scottish Power]] and '''Scottish Hydro Electric''', but was sold later as part of '''British Energy''').
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In 1991 [[Scottish Power]] prepared for privatisation from the previously nationalised Scottish electricity industry, having officially formed the year before. Scottish industry was organised on an integrated generation, distribution and supply basis, which survived the privatisation to become a model for the rest of the United Kingdom (previously the UK government had privatised the English and Welsh electricity industry by splitting the market into 12 regional electricity companies and two power generators).  
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[[Scottish Power]] was formed from the larger of the two Scottish electricity boards, the '''South of Scotland Electricity Board''', whilst the other, the '''North of Scotland Hydro Board''', eventually became part of the '''Scottish and Southern Energy Group''' (the nuclear power stations in Scotland were spun off into a third company, '''Scottish Nuclear''', which was not sold off with [[Scottish Power]] and '''Scottish Hydro Electric''', but was sold later as part of '''British Energy''').
  
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==Company Chronology==
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==Company chronology==
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*1990 - [[Scottish Power]] prepared for privitisation from state-owned [[Scottish Electricity]]
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*1990 - [[Scottish Power]] was officially founded
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*1991 - officially founded
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*1991 - prepared for privitisation from state-owned [[Scottish Electricity]]
 
*1995 - aquired [[Manweb]]
 
*1995 - aquired [[Manweb]]
 
*1996 - expanded into the water supply bussiness and purchased [[Southern Water]]
 
*1996 - expanded into the water supply bussiness and purchased [[Southern Water]]
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*[[Charles Miller Smith]] Joined the Board as Deputy Chairman in August 1999 and was appointed as Chairman in April 2000.
 
*[[Charles Miller Smith]] Joined the Board as Deputy Chairman in August 1999 and was appointed as Chairman in April 2000.
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*[[Euan Baird]] Joined the Board in January 2001 and brings executive level experience in the electronics and engineering industry to the ScottishPower Board.
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*[[Euan Baird]] Joined the Board in January 2001 bringing executive level experience in the electronics and engineering industry to the ScottishPower Board.
 
*[[Donald Brydon]] Joined the Board in May 2003 and is the senior independent director.
 
*[[Donald Brydon]] Joined the Board in May 2003 and is the senior independent director.
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*[[Nick Rose]] Joined the Board in February 2003 and he is Chairman of the Audit Committee, nominated as the Committee’s designated “financial expert”.
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*[[Nick Rose]] Joined the Board in February 2003 and is Chairman of the Audit Committee, nominated as the Committee’s designated “financial expert”.
 
*[[Nancy Wilgenbusch]] Joined the Board in June 2004.
 
*[[Nancy Wilgenbusch]] Joined the Board in June 2004.
 
*[[Peter Hickson]] Joined the Board on 1st September 2006.
 
*[[Peter Hickson]] Joined the Board on 1st September 2006.
  
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===Management Team===
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===Management team===
  
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* [[Philip Bowman]] Chief Executive
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* [[Nick Horler]] Chief Executive
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* [[Simon Lowth]] Finance Director
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* [[Ramón Fernández]] Finance Director
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* [[Terry Hudgens]] Chief Executive Officer, PPM Energy Inc
 
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* [[Susan Reilly]] Commercial Director
 
 
* [[Alan Bryce]] Director, Energy Networks
 
* [[Alan Bryce]] Director, Energy Networks
 
* [[John Campbell]] Director, Energy Wholesale
 
* [[John Campbell]] Director, Energy Wholesale
 
* [[Willie MacDiarmid]] Director, Energy Retail
 
* [[Willie MacDiarmid]] Director, Energy Retail
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* [[Sheelagh Duffield]] Company Secretary
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* [[Rupert Steele]] Director, Regulation
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* [[Stephen Dunn]] Director, Human Resources and Communications{{ref|4}}
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* [[Adrian Coats]] Director, Treasury & Purchasing
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* [[Marion Venman]] Head of Legal and General Secretary
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<ref>[http://www.scottishpower.com/ManagementTeam.asp Meet the Board]</ref>
  
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===Previous Members===
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===Previous members===
 
* [[Vicky Bailey]] Former American non-Executive Director
 
* [[Vicky Bailey]] Former American non-Executive Director
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* [[Charles Berry]] Former Executive Director (UK)
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* [[Charles Berry]] Former Executive Director, UK
 
* [[Dominic Fry]] Former Corporate Affairs Director
 
* [[Dominic Fry]] Former Corporate Affairs Director
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* [[David Nish]] Former Exucutive Director of Infrastructure
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* [[David Nish]] Former Executive Director of Infrastructure
 
* [[Ian Russell]] Former Chief Executive
 
* [[Ian Russell]] Former Chief Executive
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* [[Terry Hudgens]] Former Chief Executive Officer, PPM Energy Inc
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* [[Susan Reilly]] Former Commercial Director
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* [[Sheelagh Duffield]] Former Company Secretary
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* [[Stephen Dunn]] Former Director, Human Resources and Communications
  
 
==Fat Cat payoffs==
 
==Fat Cat payoffs==
 
[[Scottish Power]]'s former chief executive [[Ian Russell]] and three colleagues received £10.9m for pay and pension compensation. The sums have been branded 'obscene' by the [[Scottish National Party]] energy spokesman [[Richard Lochhead]], and come to light just three months after they warned customers about inflation-busting bill hikes.
 
[[Scottish Power]]'s former chief executive [[Ian Russell]] and three colleagues received £10.9m for pay and pension compensation. The sums have been branded 'obscene' by the [[Scottish National Party]] energy spokesman [[Richard Lochhead]], and come to light just three months after they warned customers about inflation-busting bill hikes.
  
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Mr. Russell, who left in January of 2006 after five years as chief executive, received a £2.3m compensation payment as well as benefiting from a resultant pension top-up of £2.7m. The compensation sum is more than three times his salary of £648,000, while his pension windfall nearly doubled his total entitlement to £6.8m. His colleagues [[Charles Berry]] and [[David Nish]], who both left the firm in September of 2006, pocketed a total of £2.6m and £2.2m in extra compensation and extra pension sums respectively. And [[Judi Johansen]], the former head of the company's [[PacifiCorp]] arm that was sold in 2006 as well, walked off with a total of £1.1m.
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Russell, who left in January of 2006 after five years as chief executive, received a £2.3m compensation payment as well as benefiting from a resultant pension top-up of £2.7m. The compensation sum is more than three times his salary of £648,000, while his pension windfall nearly doubled his total entitlement to £6.8m. His colleagues [[Charles Berry]] and [[David Nish]], who both left the firm in September of 2006, pocketed a total of £2.6m and £2.2m in extra compensation and extra pension sums respectively. And [[Judi Johansen]], the former head of the company's [[PacifiCorp]] arm that was sold in 2006 as well, walked off with a total of £1.1m.
  
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The figures are published in Scottish Power's 2005/06 annual report and accounts, and are on top of their normal pay and pension entitlements totalling a further £10.5m. The plc made £675m profit before tax in the financial year to March 2006. [[Scottish Power]] raised gas prices by 15% and electricity by 8% in March of 2006, only to warn that bills would rise again due to high wholesale costs. {{ref|5}}
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The figures are published in Scottish Power's 2005/06 annual report and accounts, and are on top of their normal pay and pension entitlements totalling a further £10.5m. The plc made £675m profit before tax in the financial year to March 2006. [[Scottish Power]] raised gas prices by 15% and electricity by 8% in March of 2006, only to warn that bills would rise again due to high wholesale costs. <ref>[http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=410010&in_page_id=2 "Sacked power chiefs get 'obscene' pay-off"]</ref><ref>Terry Macalister  [http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2006/dec/27/energy.business BP joins renewable power campaign group], ''The Guardian'', 27/12/06, accessed 22/02/11</ref>
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==Scottish Power hires private security firm Vericola==
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===Delegating dirty work to private security firms===
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Different from corporate espionage between two private firms, cases of corporate espionage against the public have been uncovered. Arguably the very industries whose environmental and social impacts are being challenged are delegating their dirty work to private security firms.
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Responding to ''The Guardian'' after Scottish Power, [[E.ON]] and [[SRG]] were exposed for employing the private security company [[Vericola]], who was allegedly infiltrating campaign groups:
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:[[E.ON]] said it had hired [[Vericola]] and another security firm, [[Global Open]], on an "ad hoc" basis as its executives wanted to know when environmentalists were going to demonstrate at or invade its power stations and other premises, as they had done in the past. The [[E.ON]] spokesman said it asked [[Vericola]] only for publicly available information and if Todd (CEO of [[Vericola]]) and her colleagues had obtained private information, they had done so "under their own steam". [[SRG]] and Scottish Power did not comment.<ref name="Evans1">Rob Evans and Paul Lewis [http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/feb/14/energy-firms-activists-intelligence-gathering Revealed: how energy firms spy on environmental activists] ''The Guardian'', 14/02/11, accessed 22/02/11</ref>
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Scottish Power's director of security [[Gordon Irving]] is a former senior police officer who joined the firm in 2001 after 30 years in [[Strathclyde Police]] where he was head of special branch. Leaked documents to '''The Guardian''' in 2011 exposed his emails to private spying company [[Vericola]], which was gathering intelligence on the [[Climate Camp]] campaigns.<ref name="Evans2">Paul Lewis and Rob Evans [http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/feb/14/environmental-activists-protest-energy-companies Green groups targeted polluters as corporate agents hid in their ranks] ''The Guardian'', 14/02/11, accessed 14/02/11</ref>
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This example of the well-oiled '[[Private security industry and the police: revolving door|revolving door]]' between the police and large corporations, formal or informal, may raise doubts about the the possibility of an entirely unbiased police force. Questions have been raised regarding the ethics of "former police officers cashing in on their surveillance skills for a host of companies that target protesters".<ref name="Evans2">Paul Lewis and Rob Evans [http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/feb/14/environmental-activists-protest-energy-companies Green groups targeted polluters as corporate agents hid in their ranks] ''The Guardian'', 14/02/11, accessed 14/02/11</ref>
  
 
==Direct links with the Scottish Executive & the Scottish Parliament==
 
==Direct links with the Scottish Executive & the Scottish Parliament==
 
===Scottish Executive===
 
===Scottish Executive===
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[[Image:SE logo.JPG|left|150px|thumb|Scottish Executive logo {{ref|6}}]]
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[[Image:SE logo.JPG|right|150px|thumb|Scottish Executive logo <ref>[http://www.eco-schools.org/partners/institutional/logo_scotexec.gif Partners Scottish Executive]</ref>]]
  
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[[Scottish Power]] has had a number of direct links with the '''Scottish Executive''' over the years. The following shows some press releases, brochures & posters, reports, and SpinWatch articles regarding the relationships between the two.
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[[Scottish Power]] has had a number of direct links with the '''Scottish Executive''' over the years. The following shows some press releases, brochures and posters, and SpinWatch articles regarding the relationships between the two.
 
====Press Releases====
 
====Press Releases====
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[[Image:SP windfarm.JPG|right|140px|thumb|Brochure {{ref|7}}]]
 
  
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*In May of 2002, [[Sottish Power]] "submitted plans to the '''Scottish Executive''' for a £70 million windfarm on the site of an abandoned open cast mine at Black Law near the village of Forth in South Lanarkshire. [[Scottish Power]], in partnership with the '''Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and landowners''', has developed a habitat management plan that integrates nature conservation, windfarm operation, and other land uses on the site which has been derelict since coal mining activities ceased there.” {{ref|8}}
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*In May of 2002, [[Scottish Power]] "submitted plans to the '''Scottish Executive''' for a £70 million windfarm on the site of an abandoned open cast mine at Black Law near the village of Forth in South Lanarkshire. [[Scottish Power]], in partnership with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and landowners, has developed a habitat management plan that integrates nature conservation, windfarm operation, and other land uses on the site which has been derelict since coal mining activities ceased there.” <ref>[http://www.scottishpower.com/PressReleases_616.htm "ScottishPower Plans to Turn Open-cast Mine into Windfarm and Bird Habitat"]</ref>
  
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*In January of 2003, [[Scottish Power]] announced to the '''Scottish Executive''' its proposals for the third large scale Scottish windfarm; and "if approved, '''Harestanes''' windfarm alone could meet a third of the '''Scottish Executive'''’s renewable energy target of 18% by 2010.” {{ref|9}}
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*In January of 2003, [[Scottish Power]] announced to the '''Scottish Executive''' its proposals for the third large scale Scottish windfarm; and "if approved, '''Harestanes''' windfarm alone could meet a third of the '''Scottish Executive'''’s renewable energy target of 18% by 2010.” <ref>http://www.scottishpower.com/PressReleases_537.htm “ScottishPower Announces Proposals for Third Large-Scale Scottish Windfarm"]</ref>
  
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*In June of 2004, it was announced that "ScottishPower in partnership with the Scottish Energy Office of the '''Scottish Executive''' today launched a nationwide campaign to make businesses aware of the introduction of the Government's Climate Change Levy (CCL). The CCL is a tax that will be the major force behind the Government's commitment to reduce the UK's production of greenhouse gases by 12.5 per cent, compared to 1990 levels, by 2010.” {{ref|10}}
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*In June of 2004, it was announced that "ScottishPower in partnership with the Scottish Energy Office of the '''Scottish Executive''' today launched a nationwide campaign to make businesses aware of the introduction of the Government's Climate Change Levy (CCL). The CCL is a tax that will be the major force behind the Government's commitment to reduce the UK's production of greenhouse gases by 12.5 per cent, compared to 1990 levels, by 2010.” <ref>[http://www.scottishpower.com/PressReleases_634.htm  "ScottishPower Spearheads Drive to Advise Business on the Climate Change Levy"]</ref>
  
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*More recently in January of 2007, a press release stated that "Former US Vice President Al Gore’s climate change film, An Inconvenient Truth, will be shown in all of Scotland’s Secondary Schools this year thanks to an initiative from [[Scottish Power]] and the Scottish Executive. The Scottish Executive, through Learning Teaching Scotland, is developing a package of educational materials to help raise awareness of the challenges we all face from global warming. [[Stephen Dunn]], [[Scottish Power]]’s HR and Communications Director, said; “I was greatly impressed by An Inconvenient Truth. Not only does it powerfully explain what is happening to the planet, it also gives hope by simply setting out what we can still do to fight climate change. [[Scottish Power]] is already the biggest generator of onshore wind energy in the UK and is developing biomass and wave generation to reduce emissions and combat global warming – but it is essential that we also help promote understanding of this crucial challenge through initiatives such as this.”" {{ref|10}}
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*More recently in January of 2007, a press release stated that "Former US Vice President Al Gore’s climate change film, An Inconvenient Truth, will be shown in all of Scotland’s Secondary Schools this year thanks to an initiative from [[Scottish Power]] and the Scottish Executive. The Scottish Executive, through Learning Teaching Scotland, is developing a package of educational materials to help raise awareness of the challenges we all face from global warming. [[Stephen Dunn]], [[Scottish Power]]’s HR and Communications Director, said; “I was greatly impressed by An Inconvenient Truth. Not only does it powerfully explain what is happening to the planet, it also gives hope by simply setting out what we can still do to fight climate change. [[Scottish Power]] is already the biggest generator of onshore wind energy in the UK and is developing biomass and wave generation to reduce emissions and combat global warming – but it is essential that we also help promote understanding of this crucial challenge through initiatives such as this.”" <ref>[http://www.scottishpower.com/PressReleases_1487.htm "ScottishPower Brings Al Gore's 'An Inconvenient Truth' to Schools"]</ref>
  
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*In Febraury of 2007, "ScottishPower, working closely with the '''Scottish Executive''', today announced a £10m wave power project designed to push Scotland to the forefront of global marine energy development. ScottishPower's Director of Renewables, Keith Anderson, said: "This is a massive step forward. It will be a test of the actual devices that will be used commercially and, if successful, should help propel Scotland into the forefront of marine energy throughout the world.”" {{ref|11}}
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*In February of 2007, "ScottishPower, working closely with the '''Scottish Executive''', today announced a £10m wave power project designed to push Scotland to the forefront of global marine energy development. ScottishPower's Director of Renewables, Keith Anderson, said: "This is a massive step forward. It will be a test of the actual devices that will be used commercially and, if successful, should help propel Scotland into the forefront of marine energy throughout the world.”" <ref>[http://www.scottishpower.com/PressReleases_1498.htm "ScottishPower to Build World’s Biggest Wave Project off Orkney"]</ref>
  
 
====Brochures & Posters====
 
====Brochures & Posters====
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[[Image:SP windfarm.JPG|right|130px|thumb|Brochure <ref>[http://www.scottishpower.com/uploads/windfarmconsbiostrategy.pdf Brochure]</ref>]]
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“ScottishPower Windfarm Biodiversity Conservation Strategy”
  
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- “ScottishPower Windfarm Biodiversity Conservation Strategy” – ScottishPower renewables
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This was a joint venture in 2006 between the '''Scottish Executive''' and '''ScottishPower Renewables'''.
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- “It’s Our Future schools’ competition” – ScottishPower gas and electricity & Natural Scotland Scottish Executive
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It also involved the '''Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Sustainable Development''', as can be proudly seen at the bottom of the brochure.
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[[Image:Future.JPG|left|120px|thumb|Poster <ref>[http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/921/0040702.pdf Poster]</ref>]]
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“It’s Our Future schools’ competition”
  
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====Reports====
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This is another example of a joint venture in 2006 between '''ScottishPower Gas and Electricity''' & the '''Scottish Executive''''s ''Natural Scotland'' campaign.  
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- “SCOTLAND PLC: The Scottish Executive’s corporate links - Despite the pro-business outlook of McConnell and the Scottish executive, corporate lobbyists still find it worthwhile to swarm around the Scottish Parliament in an attempt to secure meetings with MSPs, to influence Scottish public spending in their favour and to keep polluting Scotland without major penalties. The incestuous relationships between the Scottish Parliament and corporations extend beyond external lobbying, however. Take for example the corporate swamping of cross party policy discussion groups that meet within the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Executive has seen further controversy over its cosy connections with corporations. Since its creation, business representatives have had access as secondees to the Executive and civil servants have been seconded outwards to the private sector. Companies involved include the biggest Scottish and transnational corporations, with inward secondments from ScottishPower.” http://www.corporatewatch.org/?lid=1305
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It involved the '''WWF''' (World Wildlife Fund), '''EcoSchools''', as well as '''Learning & Teaching Scotland''', which is funded by the Scottish Executive Education Department (SEED).
  
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====Spinwatch articles====
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====SpinWatch articles====
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- “Taking The Risk Out Of Devolution - David Miller, 6 September 2004 - Since the creation of the Scottish Executive, business representatives have had access as secondees to the Executive and civil servants have been seconded outwards to the private sector. Companies involved include the biggest Scottish and Trans-National corporations, Inward: Scottish Power, Scottish and Newcastle, Stagecoach, Ernst and Young, PriceWaterhouseCoopers. Outward: Lloyds TSB Foundation, Scottish Power, McGrigor Donald (law firm and lobbyist), Scottish and Newcastle and business lobby groups Business in the Community and the Scottish Chambers of Commerce.” (http://www.spinwatch.org/content/view/15/8/)
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“Since the creation of the '''Scottish Executive''', business representatives have had access as secondees to the Executive and civil servants have been seconded outwards to the private sector. Companies involved include the biggest Scottish and Trans-National corporations, Inward: [[Scottish Power]], [[Scottish and Newcastle]], [[Stagecoach]], [[Ernst and Young]], [[PriceWaterhouseCoopers]]. Outward: [[Lloyds TSB]] Foundation, [[Scottish Power]], [[McGrigor Donald]] (law firm and lobbyist), [[Scottish and Newcastle]] and business lobby groups [[Business in the Community]] and the '''Scottish Chambers of Commerce'''.” <ref>[http://www.spinwatch.org/-articles-by-category-mainmenu-8/44-government-spin/15-taking-the-risk-out-of-devolution  "Taking The Risk Out Of Devolution"]</ref>
  
 
===Scottish Parliament===
 
===Scottish Parliament===
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[[Image:SP logo.JPG|left|170px|thumb|Scottish Parliament logo{{ref|7}}]]  
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[[Image:SP logo.JPG|right|170px|thumb|Scottish Parliament logo<ref>[http://survey.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/education/youth/games/jigsaw/logoBig.gif Scottish Parliament]</ref>]]
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[[Scottish Power]] also has many links with the '''Scottish Parliament''' as well.
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[[Scottish Power]] also has many links with the '''Scottish Parliament''' as well. The following shows Parliamentary News Releases regarding the development of the [[Scottish Parliament Business Exchange]], SpinWatch articles, and Scottish Parliament official reports as evidence of relationships between the two.
  
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The Scottish Parliament Business Exchange
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====Parliamentary News Releases====
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- “NEW SCHEME PROMOTES MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN MSPs AND SCOTTISH BUSINESSES – 27 Nov 2001 - MSPs are to be given an opportunity to gain a valuable insight into the diverse Scottish business sector thanks to a new scheme launched today. The Scottish Parliament and Business Exchange ('The Exchange') aims to develop and provide opportunities for promoting mutual understanding between MSPs and business and related communities in Scotland. The Exchange is registered as an educational charity with a board made up of 50 per-cent Parliamentarians and 50 per-cent business representatives. "Through being transparent, open, inclusive and flexible in its approach, The Exchange will be able to bring MSPs and the business community together in a non-lobbying and non-partisan way, providing benefits to the whole of Scotland.” The Board of The Exchange was set-up at the first AGM in June this year. The Parliament's Chief Executive, Paul Grice, is the convener, and Sir David Steel MSP is the honorary President. The Board members are Elaine Thomson MSP, Brian Adam MSP, David Davidson MSP, Keith Raffan MSP, Lynda Gauld (Pfizer), Alan Wilson (SCDI), Miller McLean (Royal Bank of Scotland), Dominic Fry (Scottish Power), Alastair Smith (BAA Scottish Airports) and Bill Spiers (Scottish TUC). http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/nmCentre/news/news-01/pa01-089.htm
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The Scottish Parliament Business Exchange is a scheme where supposedly, MSPs are to be given an opportunity to gain a valuable insight into the diverse Scottish business sector. The Scottish Parliament and Business Exchange ('The Exchange') aims to develop and provide opportunities for promoting mutual understanding between MSPs and business and related communities in Scotland. The Exchange is registered as an educational charity with a board made up of 50 per-cent Parliamentarians and 50 per-cent business representatives. Presiding officer and The Exchange's honorary President, Sir David Steel said "Through being transparent, open, inclusive and flexible in its approach, The Exchange will be able to bring MSPs and the business community together in a non-lobbying and non-partisan way, providing benefits to the whole of Scotland.” The Board of The Exchange was set-up at the first AGM in June of 2001. The Parliament's Chief Executive, Paul Grice, was the convener, and Sir David Steel MSP was the honorary President. The Board members were Elaine Thomson MSP, Brian Adam MSP, David Davidson MSP, Keith Raffan MSP, Lynda Gauld ([[Pfizer]]), Alan Wilson ([[SCDI]]), Miller McLean ([[Royal Bank of Scotland]]), [[Dominic Fry]] ([[Scottish Power]]), Alastair Smith ([[BAA]] Scottish Airports) and Bill Spiers ([[Scottish TUC]]). <ref>[http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/nmCentre/news/news-01/pa01-089.htm Parliamentary News Release, “New Scheme Promotes Mutual Understanding Between MSPs and Scottish Businesses"]</ref>
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- “Official Report 28 February 2007 – Energy Debt - Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): I was pleased to see that we received briefings from a number of other organisations, including Barnardo's and Capability Scotland, which want Parliament to understand the impact that energy debt has on a range of different people in diverse family situations. Energy suppliers will always have a problem with billing systems for the most vulnerable people, but some of their practices, as Scott Barrie mentioned, hit the poorest households and families hardest. In the case of Scottish Power's practices, they had not even calculated what it would cost Scottish Power to change the policy by writing off such debt. The role of politicians is not just to engage with suppliers on the issue but to look at public policy. Scott Barrie explained the historical situation in terms of the welfare state but, as we move further into the 21st century, the job for politicians is to prepare all citizens and households in Scotland for the period after cheap energy. It falls on all suppliers, including Scottish Power, to adjust their systems to ensure that the most vulnerable people are not placed in further debt. Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): Energy companies are making a financial killing on the back of the less well-off. Figures that I have obtained show that some companies are charging customers who will not pay by direct debit almost £300 a year more. With regard to the overcharging of non-direct debit customers for gas and electricity combined, the worst offenders—I will name and shame them—were npower, Powergen and Scottish Power. The worst companies for customers who required only electricity and who chose not to pay by direct debit were npower, Powergen and Scottish Power. Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): Come on, Scottish Power—stop back-charging customers and stop back-charging the people who are potentially the most vulnerable customers. I echo the call for Scottish Power to end immediately its practice of backdating and to acknowledge that prepayment meter tariffs are a mess.” http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-07/sor0228-02.htm
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:To see more about the SPBE's claims vs. realities, click [[Scottish Parliament Business Exchange]].  
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- “Taking The Risk Out Of Devolution - David Miller, 6 September 2004 - the Scottish Parliament Business Exchange was set up to allow MSPs to be educated about the realities of business life. To ensure that education and not lobbying took place the scheme was required to be ‘non-lobbying’. But in practice three quarters of the business representatives taking part were lobbyists. The SPBE’s other founding principles were openness and accountability.” (http://www.spinwatch.org/content/view/15/8/)
 
  
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==Indirect links with the Scottish Executive & the Scottish Parliament==
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====SpinWatch articles====
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[[Scottish Power]] sponsors community activities such as ScottishPower Learning, [[SEPA]]
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While the '''SPBE''' at first glance seems potentially beneficial and rather harmless, a deeper look reveals something different: "The [[Scottish Parliament Business Exchange]] was set up to allow MSPs to be educated about the realities of business life. To ensure that education and not lobbying took place the scheme was required to be ‘non-lobbying’. But in practice three quarters of the business representatives taking part were lobbyists.” <ref>[http://www.spinwatch.org/-articles-by-category-mainmenu-8/44-government-spin/15-taking-the-risk-out-of-devolution  "Taking The Risk Out Of Devolution"]</ref>
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and [[BWEA]]
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ScottishPower Learning (flagship corporate community programme focused on education/employability)
+
====Scottish Parliament official reports====
 +
The 28 February 2007 Official Report regarding Energy Debt featured many varied comments about [[Scottish Power]]'s energy practices.
 +
*Patrick Harvie from Glasgow representing the Green party said: "I was pleased to see that we received briefings from a number of other organisations, including Barnardo's and Capability Scotland, which want Parliament to understand the impact that energy debt has on a range of different people in diverse family situations. Energy suppliers will always have a problem with billing systems for the most vulnerable people, but some of their practices, as Scott Barrie mentioned, hit the poorest households and families hardest. In the case of [[Scottish Power]]'s practices, they had not even calculated what it would cost [[Scottish Power]] to change the policy by writing off such debt. The role of politicians is not just to engage with suppliers on the issue but to look at public policy. Scott Barrie explained the historical situation in terms of the welfare state but, as we move further into the 21st century, the job for politicians is to prepare all citizens and households in Scotland for the period after cheap energy. It falls on all suppliers, including [[Scottish Power]], to adjust their systems to ensure that the most vulnerable people are not placed in further debt."
 +
*Christine Grahame from the South of Scotland representing the SNP party said: "Energy companies are making a financial killing on the back of the less well-off. Figures that I have obtained show that some companies are charging customers who will not pay by direct debit almost £300 a year more. With regard to the overcharging of non-direct debit customers for gas and electricity combined, the worst offenders—I will name and shame them—were [[npower]], [[Powergen]] and [[Scottish Power]]. The worst companies for customers who required only electricity and who chose not to pay by direct debit were [[npower]], [[Powergen]] and [[Scottish Power]]."
 +
*Jackie Baillie from Dumbarton representing the Labour party said: "Come on, [[Scottish Power]]—stop back-charging customers and stop back-charging the people who are potentially the most vulnerable customers. I echo the call for [[Scottish Power]] to end immediately its practice of backdating and to acknowledge that prepayment meter tariffs are a mess.” <ref>[http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-07/sor0228-02.htm Energy Debt "Official Report 28 February 2007"]</ref>
 +
 
 +
==Indirect links with the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Parliament==
 +
[[Scottish Power]] has a number of indirect links with the '''Scottish Executive''' and the '''Scottish Parliament''' as well.
 +
*The company sponsors '''community activities''' such as '''ScottishPower Learning'''. This is the company's flagship corporate community programme focused on education/employability. A more detailed look reveals:
 
a) School-based programmes designed to support the school to work transition
 
a) School-based programmes designed to support the school to work transition
 +
 
b) Community-based programmes designed to help unemployed young people build their skills in preparation for work (Involved with Prince’s Trust, Community Champions, Project Scotland)
 
b) Community-based programmes designed to help unemployed young people build their skills in preparation for work (Involved with Prince’s Trust, Community Champions, Project Scotland)
 +
 
c) Work-based programmes designed to provide young people with work experience and vocational training
 
c) Work-based programmes designed to provide young people with work experience and vocational training
−
-think tanks
 
−
“an organization, institute, corporation, or group that conducts research, typically funded by governmental and commercial clients, in the areas of social or political strategy, technology, and armament. Critics such as Ralph Nader have suggested that because of the private nature of the funding of think tanks their results are biased to a varying degree. Some critics go further to assert think tanks are little more than propaganda tools for promoting the ideological arguments of whatever group established them. They charge that most think tanks, which are usually headquartered in state or national seats of government, exist merely for large-scale lobbying to form opinion in favor of special private interests.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Think_tank)
 
−
-policy planning
 
−
Scottish Environmental Protection Agency:
 
−
- “a powerful non-departmental public body in Scotland sponsored by the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department. SEPA was established by the Environment Act 1995 and is responsible for the protection of the natural environment in Scotland. Its area of competence includes air, land, freshwater and marine environments.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_Environment_Protection_Agency)
 
−
B(ritish)W(Ind)E(energy)A(ssociation):
 
−
- “BP joins renewable power campaign group - Terry Macalister, December 27, 2006 - BP is to throw its weight behind the renewable power industry by joining its main campaigning body. Critics in the environment movement may be suspicious of a company they believe talks about green issues but invests little. Shell has been a member for some years and other big power producers, such as Centrica, owner of British Gas, E.ON of Germany and Scottish Power, have also joined.” (http://www.spinwatch.org/content/view/3886/9/)
 
  
 +
*The company is involved with '''think tanks''' as well. [[Demos]], for example, is another 'third way' think tank in the UK. According to its website "Demos is a greenhouse for new ideas which can improve the quality of our lives. As an independent think tank, our aim is to create an open resource of knowledge and learning that operates beyond traditional parties, identities and disciplines." <ref>[http://www.demos.co.uk/content/aboutdemos Demos website]</ref> [[Scottish Power]] is one of the many partners of [[Demos]].
  
 +
*[[Scottish Power]] is involved with '''policy planning''' agencies, such as the regulatory body '''SEPA'''. The [[Scottish Environmental Protection Agency]] is a powerful Scottish public body sponsored by the '''Scottish Executive''' Environment and Rural Affairs Department. '''SEPA''' was established by the Environment Act 1995 and is responsible for the protection of the natural environment in Scotland, including air, land, freshwater and marine environments.
 +
 +
*The company is also a member of [[BWEA]] (formerly the '''British Wind Energy Association'''). [[BWEA]] is a renewable power industry, however "Critics in the environment movement may be suspicious of a company they believe talks about green issues but invests little. [[Shell]] has been a member for some years and other big power producers, such as [[Centrica]], owner of British Gas, and [[E.ON]] of Germany have also joined.” <ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2006/dec/27/energy.business  Guardian, "BP joins renewable power campaign group"]</ref>
  
 
==Other activities==
 
==Other activities==
−
 
+
Some other activities that [[Scottish Power]] is involved in include the following:
 
===PR connections===
 
===PR connections===
−
*[[BIG Partnership]]
+
* [[Dominic Fry]], who was responsible for the group’s internal and external communications, was [[Scottish Power]]'s financial PR man until his dismissal in 2005.
 +
* [[Scottish Power]] is a client of the Scottish PR firm [[BIG Partnership]]
 
*[[GPC International]], in 2004/[[Fleishman Hillard]] in 2005
 
*[[GPC International]], in 2004/[[Fleishman Hillard]] in 2005
 +
 +
Scottish Power is also listed as a client of
 +
* [[Scott Porter Research and Marketing Ltd]] in 2008 <ref>[http://www.scottporter.co.uk/clients.htm Scott Porter Research and Marketing Ltd, Clients]</ref>
 +
*[[Portland PR]], since 2012<ref> [http://www.appc.org.uk/members/register/register-profile/?company=Portland Register 1st September 2014 - 30th November 2014] ''APPC'', accessed 28 January 2015 </ref>
  
 
===Lobby connections===
 
===Lobby connections===
−
*[[Business Council for Sustainable Development – UK]]
+
According to one CorporateWatch Report, "Despite the pro-business outlook of McConnell and the '''Scottish executive''', corporate lobbyists still find it worthwhile to swarm around the '''Scottish Parliament''' in an attempt to secure meetings with MSPs, to influence Scottish public spending in their favour and to keep polluting Scotland without major penalties. The incestuous relationships between the '''Scottish Parliament''' and corporations extend beyond external lobbying, however. Take for example the corporate swamping of cross party policy discussion groups that meet within the '''Scottish Parliament'''. The '''Scottish Executive''' has seen further controversy over its cosy connections with corporations. Since its creation, business representatives have had access as secondees to the Executive and civil servants have been seconded outwards to the private sector. Companies involved include the biggest Scottish and transnational corporations, with inward secondments from [[Scottish Power]].”  <ref>[http://www.corporatewatch.org/?lid=1305 "SCOTLAND PLC: The Scottish Executive’s corporate links"]</ref>
−
*DC lobbying firm [[Stuntz, Davis & Staffier]]
+
 
 +
* [[Scottish Power]] has been linked with [[Business Council for Sustainable Development – UK]]
 +
* as well as DC lobbying firm [[Stuntz, Davis & Staffier]]
  
 
===Cultural Affiliations/Sponsorships===
 
===Cultural Affiliations/Sponsorships===
Line 133: Line 170:
 
*[[ScottishPower Pipe Band]]
 
*[[ScottishPower Pipe Band]]
  
 +
==Political donations==
 +
Recorded by the Electoral Commission:
 +
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="1" float="left" align="left" width="100%">
 +
<tr>
 +
<th bgcolor="goldenrod" width="20%">Date</th>
 +
<th bgcolor="goldenrod" width="20%">Name of donor</th>
 +
<th bgcolor="goldenrod" width="20%">Amount</th>
 +
<th bgcolor="goldenrod" width="20%">Donated to</th>
 +
<th bgcolor="goldenrod" width="20%">Subsidiary (parties only)</th>
 +
</tr>
  
 +
<tr>
 +
<td align="center">27/02/2001</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Power (Sponsorship), Corporate and Central Services</td>
 +
<td align="center">£1,500.00</td>
 +
<td align="center">[[Labour Party]]</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Labour Party</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
 +
<tr>
 +
<td align="center">06/12/2002</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Power, 1 Atlantic Quay Company </td>
 +
<td align="center">£5,000.00</td>
 +
<td align="center">[[Labour Party]]</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Labour Party</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
 +
<tr>
 +
<td align="center">01/06/2003</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Power, 1 Atlantic Quay Company</td>
 +
<td align="center">£1,500.00</td>
 +
<td align="center">[[Labour Party]]</td>
 +
<td align="center">Labour Students</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
 +
<tr>
 +
<td align="center">09/10/2003</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Power, 1 Atlantic Quay Company </td>
 +
<td align="center">£4,000.00</td>
 +
<td align="center">[[Labour Party]]</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Labour Party</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
 +
<tr>
 +
<td align="center">30/09/2004</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Power, 1 Atlantic Quay</td>
 +
<td align="center">£5,000.00</td>
 +
<td align="center">[[Labour Party]]</td>
 +
<td align="center">Central Party</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
 +
<tr>
 +
<td align="center">23/09/2004</td>
 +
<td align="center"> Scottish Power, 1 Atlantic Quay Company </td>
 +
<td align="center">£6,000.00</td>
 +
<td align="center">[[Labour Party]]</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Labour Party</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
 +
<tr>
 +
<td align="center">28/02/2005</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Power Plc, 1 Atlantic Quay</td>
 +
<td align="center">£4,000.00</td>
 +
<td align="center">[[Labour Party]]</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Labour Party</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
 +
<tr>
 +
<td align="center">28/02/2005</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Power Plc, 1 Atlantic Quay</td>
 +
<td align="center">£4,000.00</td>
 +
<td align="center">[[Labour Party]]</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Labour Party</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
 +
<tr>
 +
<td align="center">14/09/2005</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Power Plc, 1 Atlantic Quay</td>
 +
<td align="center">£7,000.00</td>
 +
<td align="center">[[Labour Party]]</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Labour Party</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
 +
<tr>
 +
<td align="center">16/03/2006</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Power Plc, 1 Atlantic Way</td>
 +
<td align="center">£3,000.00</td>
 +
<td align="center">[[Labour Party]]</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Labour Party</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
 +
<tr>
 +
<td align="center">02/11/2006</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Power, 1 Atlantic Way</td>
 +
<td align="center">£6,000.00</td>
 +
<td align="center">[[Labour Party]]</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Labour Party</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
 +
<tr>
 +
<td align="center">29/10/2007</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Power Plc - Sponsorship, 1 Atlantic Way</td>
 +
<td align="center">£6,000.00</td>
 +
<td align="center">[[Labour Party]]</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Labour Party</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
 +
<tr>
 +
<td align="center">04/08/2008</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Power Plc - Sponsorship, 1 Atlantic Way</td>
 +
<td align="center">£7,000.00</td>
 +
<td align="center">[[Labour Party]]</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Labour Party</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
 +
<tr>
 +
<td align="center">10/12/2009</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Power Limited - Sponsorship, CASTLE HOUSE</td>
 +
<td align="center">£7,000.00</td>
 +
<td align="center">[[Labour Party]]</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Labour Party</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
 +
<tr>
 +
<td align="center">01/10/2010</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Power - Sponsorship, 1 Atlantic Quay</td>
 +
<td align="center">£8,225.00</td>
 +
<td align="center">[[Labour Party]]</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Labour Party</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
 +
<tr>
 +
<td align="center">31/12/2010</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Power UK Plc, 1 Atlantic Quay</td>
 +
<td align="center">£14,000.00</td>
 +
<td align="center">[[Labour Party]]</td>
 +
<td align="center">Central Party</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
 +
<tr>
 +
<td align="center">04/02/2011</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Power, 1 Atlantic Quay, Robertson Street</td>
 +
<td align="center">£2,937.50</td>
 +
<td align="center">[[Labour Party]]</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Labour Party</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
 +
<tr>
 +
<td align="center">07/10/2011</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Power, 1 Atlantic Quay, Robertson Street</td>
 +
<td align="center">£8,400.00</td>
 +
<td align="center">[[Labour Party]]</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Labour Party</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
 +
<tr>
 +
<td align="center">12/10/2012</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Power, 1 Atlantic Quay, Robertson Street</td>
 +
<td align="center">£8,400.00</td>
 +
<td align="center">[[Labour Party]]</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Labour Party</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
 +
<tr>
 +
<td align="center">23/08/2013</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Power, 1 Atlantic Quay, Robertson Street</td>
 +
<td align="center">£8,400.00</td>
 +
<td align="center">[[Labour Party]]</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Labour Party</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
 +
<tr>
 +
<td align="center">02/08/2013</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Power UK Plc, 1 Atlantic Quay</td>
 +
<td align="center">£14,000.00</td>
 +
<td align="center">[[Labour Party]]</td>
 +
<td align="center">Central Party</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
 +
<tr>
 +
<td align="center">31/10/2014</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Power, 1 Atlantic Quay, Robertson Street</td>
 +
<td align="center">£8,400.00</td>
 +
<td align="center">[[Labour Party]]</td>
 +
<td align="center">Scottish Labour Party</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
</table>
 +
<ref> Electoral Commission, [https://pefonline.electoralcommission.org.uk/Search/CommonReturnsSearch.aspx?type=basicDonationSearch Donation search], accessed 9 March 2015 </ref>
 +
<br>
  
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
−
:ScottishPower website [http://www.scottishpower.com/]
+
:[http://www.scottishpower.com/ ScottishPower website]
−
:ScottishPower Gas and Electricity Customer website [http://scottishpower.co.uk/]
+
:[http://scottishpower.co.uk/ ScottishPower Gas and Electricity Customer website]
−
:ScottishPower Energy Networks website [http://www.spenergynetworks.com/]
+
:[http://www.spenergynetworks.com/ ScottishPower Energy Networks website]
 +
 
 +
==Address==
 +
:'''Address''': 1 Atlantic Quay, Glasgow, G2 8SP
 +
:'''Phone''': 0141 248 8200
  
−
==References==
+
==Notes==
−
#{{note|1}} Photograph from Wikipedia[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_Power  Scottish Power], accessed 22 March 2007.
+
<references/>
−
#{{note|2}} Photograph from Wikipedia[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glasgow  Glasgow], accessed 22 March 2007.
 
−
#{{note|3}} Energy supply rank from CNN.com [http://www.cnn.com/2006/BUSINESS/11/28/scot.power/index.html World Business], "Scot Power agrees $22B Spanish bid", accessed 16 April 2007.
 
−
#{{note|4}} Board and Management bios from Scottish Power[http://www.scottishpower.com/ManagementTeam.asp Meet the Board], accessed March 2007.
 
−
#{{note|5}} Fat Cat payoff information from ThisIsMoney [http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=410010&in_page_id=2 article] "Sacked power chiefs get 'obscene' pay-off", accessed 18 June 2006.
 
−
#{{note|6}} Photograph from Eco-Schools[http://www.eco-schools.org/partners/institutional/logo_scotexec.gif Partners], Scottish Executive, accessed 16 April 2007.
 
−
#{{note|7}} Photograph from Scottish Power [http://www.scottishpower.com/uploads/windfarmconsbiostrategy.pdf Brochure], accessed 22 March 2007.
 
−
#{{note|8}} Press release from Scottish Power [http://www.scottishpower.com/PressReleases_616.htm News & Media], "ScottishPower Plans to Turn Open-cast Mine into Windfarm and Bird Habitat", accessed 12 April 2007.
 
−
#{{note|9}} Press release from Scottish Power [http://www.scottishpower.com/PressReleases_537.htm News & Media], “ScottishPower Announces Proposals for Third Large-Scale Scottish Windfarm, accessed 19 March 2007.
 
−
#{{note|10}} Press release from Scottish Power [http://www.scottishpower.com/PressReleases_634.htm News & Media], "ScottishPower Spearheads Drive to Advise Business on the Climate Change Levy", accessed 19 March 2007.
 
−
#{{note|10}} Press release from Scottish Power [http://www.scottishpower.com/PressReleases_1487.htm News & Media], "ScottishPower Brings Al Gore's 'An Inconvenient Truth' to Schools", accessed 19 March 2007.
 
−
#{{note|11}} Press release from Scottish Power [http://www.scottishpower.com/PressReleases_1498.htm News & Media], "ScottishPower to Build World’s Biggest Wave Project off Orkney", accessed 12 April 2007.
 
  
−
#{{note|7}} Photograph from Scottish Parliament[http://survey.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/education/youth/games/jigsaw/logoBig.gif Education], Scottish Parliament, accessed 16 April 2007.
+
[[Category:Scotland|ScottishPower]][[Category:Scottish Corporations|ScottishPower]][[Category:Corporate Espionage|ScottishPower]][[Category:Labour Party Donors|ScottishPower]]

Latest revision as of 14:38, 9 March 2015

Scottish Power logo[1]
Glasgow, Scotland[2]

Based in Glasgow, Scotland, ScottishPower Plc is a vertically integrated energy company and was Britain's fifth-largest energy supplier. As part of the utilities industry, it is the distribution network operator for the central and southern Scotland and the Merseyside and North Wales regions. The company also supplies electricity and natural gas to homes and business around the United Kingdom and generates power for supply to the grid. It owns PPM Energy in the United States and is quoted on the London Stock Exchange and has a secondary listing on the New York Stock Exchange, as well.

In 2006 the Spanish energy giant Iberdrola made an £11.6bn takeover bid. The offer was formally approved by shareholders at an EGM on 30 March 2007, effectively creating Europe's third largest utility company.

They are also donors to the Labour Party.

Structure

Scottish Power has a number of divisions and subsidiaries:

History

In 1991 Scottish Power prepared for privatisation from the previously nationalised Scottish electricity industry, having officially formed the year before. Scottish industry was organised on an integrated generation, distribution and supply basis, which survived the privatisation to become a model for the rest of the United Kingdom (previously the UK government had privatised the English and Welsh electricity industry by splitting the market into 12 regional electricity companies and two power generators). Scottish Power was formed from the larger of the two Scottish electricity boards, the South of Scotland Electricity Board, whilst the other, the North of Scotland Hydro Board, eventually became part of the Scottish and Southern Energy Group (the nuclear power stations in Scotland were spun off into a third company, Scottish Nuclear, which was not sold off with Scottish Power and Scottish Hydro Electric, but was sold later as part of British Energy).

Company chronology

People

Board

  • Charles Miller Smith Joined the Board as Deputy Chairman in August 1999 and was appointed as Chairman in April 2000.
  • Euan Baird Joined the Board in January 2001 bringing executive level experience in the electronics and engineering industry to the ScottishPower Board.
  • Donald Brydon Joined the Board in May 2003 and is the senior independent director.
  • Nick Rose Joined the Board in February 2003 and is Chairman of the Audit Committee, nominated as the Committee’s designated “financial expert”.
  • Nancy Wilgenbusch Joined the Board in June 2004.
  • Peter Hickson Joined the Board on 1st September 2006.

Management team

[3]

Previous members

Fat Cat payoffs

Scottish Power's former chief executive Ian Russell and three colleagues received £10.9m for pay and pension compensation. The sums have been branded 'obscene' by the Scottish National Party energy spokesman Richard Lochhead, and come to light just three months after they warned customers about inflation-busting bill hikes.

Russell, who left in January of 2006 after five years as chief executive, received a £2.3m compensation payment as well as benefiting from a resultant pension top-up of £2.7m. The compensation sum is more than three times his salary of £648,000, while his pension windfall nearly doubled his total entitlement to £6.8m. His colleagues Charles Berry and David Nish, who both left the firm in September of 2006, pocketed a total of £2.6m and £2.2m in extra compensation and extra pension sums respectively. And Judi Johansen, the former head of the company's PacifiCorp arm that was sold in 2006 as well, walked off with a total of £1.1m.

The figures are published in Scottish Power's 2005/06 annual report and accounts, and are on top of their normal pay and pension entitlements totalling a further £10.5m. The plc made £675m profit before tax in the financial year to March 2006. Scottish Power raised gas prices by 15% and electricity by 8% in March of 2006, only to warn that bills would rise again due to high wholesale costs. [4][5]

Scottish Power hires private security firm Vericola

Delegating dirty work to private security firms

Different from corporate espionage between two private firms, cases of corporate espionage against the public have been uncovered. Arguably the very industries whose environmental and social impacts are being challenged are delegating their dirty work to private security firms. Responding to The Guardian after Scottish Power, E.ON and SRG were exposed for employing the private security company Vericola, who was allegedly infiltrating campaign groups:

E.ON said it had hired Vericola and another security firm, Global Open, on an "ad hoc" basis as its executives wanted to know when environmentalists were going to demonstrate at or invade its power stations and other premises, as they had done in the past. The E.ON spokesman said it asked Vericola only for publicly available information and if Todd (CEO of Vericola) and her colleagues had obtained private information, they had done so "under their own steam". SRG and Scottish Power did not comment.[6]

Scottish Power's director of security Gordon Irving is a former senior police officer who joined the firm in 2001 after 30 years in Strathclyde Police where he was head of special branch. Leaked documents to The Guardian in 2011 exposed his emails to private spying company Vericola, which was gathering intelligence on the Climate Camp campaigns.[7]

This example of the well-oiled 'revolving door' between the police and large corporations, formal or informal, may raise doubts about the the possibility of an entirely unbiased police force. Questions have been raised regarding the ethics of "former police officers cashing in on their surveillance skills for a host of companies that target protesters".[7]

Direct links with the Scottish Executive & the Scottish Parliament

Scottish Executive

Scottish Executive logo [8]

Scottish Power has had a number of direct links with the Scottish Executive over the years. The following shows some press releases, brochures and posters, and SpinWatch articles regarding the relationships between the two.

Press Releases

  • In May of 2002, Scottish Power "submitted plans to the Scottish Executive for a £70 million windfarm on the site of an abandoned open cast mine at Black Law near the village of Forth in South Lanarkshire. Scottish Power, in partnership with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and landowners, has developed a habitat management plan that integrates nature conservation, windfarm operation, and other land uses on the site which has been derelict since coal mining activities ceased there.” [9]
  • In January of 2003, Scottish Power announced to the Scottish Executive its proposals for the third large scale Scottish windfarm; and "if approved, Harestanes windfarm alone could meet a third of the Scottish Executive’s renewable energy target of 18% by 2010.” [10]
  • In June of 2004, it was announced that "ScottishPower in partnership with the Scottish Energy Office of the Scottish Executive today launched a nationwide campaign to make businesses aware of the introduction of the Government's Climate Change Levy (CCL). The CCL is a tax that will be the major force behind the Government's commitment to reduce the UK's production of greenhouse gases by 12.5 per cent, compared to 1990 levels, by 2010.” [11]
  • More recently in January of 2007, a press release stated that "Former US Vice President Al Gore’s climate change film, An Inconvenient Truth, will be shown in all of Scotland’s Secondary Schools this year thanks to an initiative from Scottish Power and the Scottish Executive. The Scottish Executive, through Learning Teaching Scotland, is developing a package of educational materials to help raise awareness of the challenges we all face from global warming. Stephen Dunn, Scottish Power’s HR and Communications Director, said; “I was greatly impressed by An Inconvenient Truth. Not only does it powerfully explain what is happening to the planet, it also gives hope by simply setting out what we can still do to fight climate change. Scottish Power is already the biggest generator of onshore wind energy in the UK and is developing biomass and wave generation to reduce emissions and combat global warming – but it is essential that we also help promote understanding of this crucial challenge through initiatives such as this.”" [12]
  • In February of 2007, "ScottishPower, working closely with the Scottish Executive, today announced a £10m wave power project designed to push Scotland to the forefront of global marine energy development. ScottishPower's Director of Renewables, Keith Anderson, said: "This is a massive step forward. It will be a test of the actual devices that will be used commercially and, if successful, should help propel Scotland into the forefront of marine energy throughout the world.”" [13]

Brochures & Posters

Brochure [14]

“ScottishPower Windfarm Biodiversity Conservation Strategy”

This was a joint venture in 2006 between the Scottish Executive and ScottishPower Renewables. It also involved the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Sustainable Development, as can be proudly seen at the bottom of the brochure.

Poster [15]

“It’s Our Future schools’ competition”

This is another example of a joint venture in 2006 between ScottishPower Gas and Electricity & the Scottish Executive's Natural Scotland campaign. It involved the WWF (World Wildlife Fund), EcoSchools, as well as Learning & Teaching Scotland, which is funded by the Scottish Executive Education Department (SEED).

SpinWatch articles

“Since the creation of the Scottish Executive, business representatives have had access as secondees to the Executive and civil servants have been seconded outwards to the private sector. Companies involved include the biggest Scottish and Trans-National corporations, Inward: Scottish Power, Scottish and Newcastle, Stagecoach, Ernst and Young, PriceWaterhouseCoopers. Outward: Lloyds TSB Foundation, Scottish Power, McGrigor Donald (law firm and lobbyist), Scottish and Newcastle and business lobby groups Business in the Community and the Scottish Chambers of Commerce.” [16]

Scottish Parliament

Scottish Parliament logo[17]

Scottish Power also has many links with the Scottish Parliament as well. The following shows Parliamentary News Releases regarding the development of the Scottish Parliament Business Exchange, SpinWatch articles, and Scottish Parliament official reports as evidence of relationships between the two.

Parliamentary News Releases

The Scottish Parliament Business Exchange is a scheme where supposedly, MSPs are to be given an opportunity to gain a valuable insight into the diverse Scottish business sector. The Scottish Parliament and Business Exchange ('The Exchange') aims to develop and provide opportunities for promoting mutual understanding between MSPs and business and related communities in Scotland. The Exchange is registered as an educational charity with a board made up of 50 per-cent Parliamentarians and 50 per-cent business representatives. Presiding officer and The Exchange's honorary President, Sir David Steel said "Through being transparent, open, inclusive and flexible in its approach, The Exchange will be able to bring MSPs and the business community together in a non-lobbying and non-partisan way, providing benefits to the whole of Scotland.” The Board of The Exchange was set-up at the first AGM in June of 2001. The Parliament's Chief Executive, Paul Grice, was the convener, and Sir David Steel MSP was the honorary President. The Board members were Elaine Thomson MSP, Brian Adam MSP, David Davidson MSP, Keith Raffan MSP, Lynda Gauld (Pfizer), Alan Wilson (SCDI), Miller McLean (Royal Bank of Scotland), Dominic Fry (Scottish Power), Alastair Smith (BAA Scottish Airports) and Bill Spiers (Scottish TUC). [18]

To see more about the SPBE's claims vs. realities, click Scottish Parliament Business Exchange.

SpinWatch articles

While the SPBE at first glance seems potentially beneficial and rather harmless, a deeper look reveals something different: "The Scottish Parliament Business Exchange was set up to allow MSPs to be educated about the realities of business life. To ensure that education and not lobbying took place the scheme was required to be ‘non-lobbying’. But in practice three quarters of the business representatives taking part were lobbyists.” [19]

Scottish Parliament official reports

The 28 February 2007 Official Report regarding Energy Debt featured many varied comments about Scottish Power's energy practices.

  • Patrick Harvie from Glasgow representing the Green party said: "I was pleased to see that we received briefings from a number of other organisations, including Barnardo's and Capability Scotland, which want Parliament to understand the impact that energy debt has on a range of different people in diverse family situations. Energy suppliers will always have a problem with billing systems for the most vulnerable people, but some of their practices, as Scott Barrie mentioned, hit the poorest households and families hardest. In the case of Scottish Power's practices, they had not even calculated what it would cost Scottish Power to change the policy by writing off such debt. The role of politicians is not just to engage with suppliers on the issue but to look at public policy. Scott Barrie explained the historical situation in terms of the welfare state but, as we move further into the 21st century, the job for politicians is to prepare all citizens and households in Scotland for the period after cheap energy. It falls on all suppliers, including Scottish Power, to adjust their systems to ensure that the most vulnerable people are not placed in further debt."
  • Christine Grahame from the South of Scotland representing the SNP party said: "Energy companies are making a financial killing on the back of the less well-off. Figures that I have obtained show that some companies are charging customers who will not pay by direct debit almost £300 a year more. With regard to the overcharging of non-direct debit customers for gas and electricity combined, the worst offenders—I will name and shame them—were npower, Powergen and Scottish Power. The worst companies for customers who required only electricity and who chose not to pay by direct debit were npower, Powergen and Scottish Power."
  • Jackie Baillie from Dumbarton representing the Labour party said: "Come on, Scottish Power—stop back-charging customers and stop back-charging the people who are potentially the most vulnerable customers. I echo the call for Scottish Power to end immediately its practice of backdating and to acknowledge that prepayment meter tariffs are a mess.” [20]

Indirect links with the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Parliament

Scottish Power has a number of indirect links with the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Parliament as well.

  • The company sponsors community activities such as ScottishPower Learning. This is the company's flagship corporate community programme focused on education/employability. A more detailed look reveals:

a) School-based programmes designed to support the school to work transition

b) Community-based programmes designed to help unemployed young people build their skills in preparation for work (Involved with Prince’s Trust, Community Champions, Project Scotland)

c) Work-based programmes designed to provide young people with work experience and vocational training

  • The company is involved with think tanks as well. Demos, for example, is another 'third way' think tank in the UK. According to its website "Demos is a greenhouse for new ideas which can improve the quality of our lives. As an independent think tank, our aim is to create an open resource of knowledge and learning that operates beyond traditional parties, identities and disciplines." [21] Scottish Power is one of the many partners of Demos.
  • Scottish Power is involved with policy planning agencies, such as the regulatory body SEPA. The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency is a powerful Scottish public body sponsored by the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department. SEPA was established by the Environment Act 1995 and is responsible for the protection of the natural environment in Scotland, including air, land, freshwater and marine environments.
  • The company is also a member of BWEA (formerly the British Wind Energy Association). BWEA is a renewable power industry, however "Critics in the environment movement may be suspicious of a company they believe talks about green issues but invests little. Shell has been a member for some years and other big power producers, such as Centrica, owner of British Gas, and E.ON of Germany have also joined.” [22]

Other activities

Some other activities that Scottish Power is involved in include the following:

PR connections

Scottish Power is also listed as a client of

Lobby connections

According to one CorporateWatch Report, "Despite the pro-business outlook of McConnell and the Scottish executive, corporate lobbyists still find it worthwhile to swarm around the Scottish Parliament in an attempt to secure meetings with MSPs, to influence Scottish public spending in their favour and to keep polluting Scotland without major penalties. The incestuous relationships between the Scottish Parliament and corporations extend beyond external lobbying, however. Take for example the corporate swamping of cross party policy discussion groups that meet within the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Executive has seen further controversy over its cosy connections with corporations. Since its creation, business representatives have had access as secondees to the Executive and civil servants have been seconded outwards to the private sector. Companies involved include the biggest Scottish and transnational corporations, with inward secondments from Scottish Power.” [25]

Cultural Affiliations/Sponsorships

Political donations

Recorded by the Electoral Commission:

Date Name of donor Amount Donated to Subsidiary (parties only)
27/02/2001 Scottish Power (Sponsorship), Corporate and Central Services £1,500.00 Labour Party Scottish Labour Party
06/12/2002 Scottish Power, 1 Atlantic Quay Company £5,000.00 Labour Party Scottish Labour Party
01/06/2003 Scottish Power, 1 Atlantic Quay Company £1,500.00 Labour Party Labour Students
09/10/2003 Scottish Power, 1 Atlantic Quay Company £4,000.00 Labour Party Scottish Labour Party
30/09/2004 Scottish Power, 1 Atlantic Quay £5,000.00 Labour Party Central Party
23/09/2004 Scottish Power, 1 Atlantic Quay Company £6,000.00 Labour Party Scottish Labour Party
28/02/2005 Scottish Power Plc, 1 Atlantic Quay £4,000.00 Labour Party Scottish Labour Party
28/02/2005 Scottish Power Plc, 1 Atlantic Quay £4,000.00 Labour Party Scottish Labour Party
14/09/2005 Scottish Power Plc, 1 Atlantic Quay £7,000.00 Labour Party Scottish Labour Party
16/03/2006 Scottish Power Plc, 1 Atlantic Way £3,000.00 Labour Party Scottish Labour Party
02/11/2006 Scottish Power, 1 Atlantic Way £6,000.00 Labour Party Scottish Labour Party
29/10/2007 Scottish Power Plc - Sponsorship, 1 Atlantic Way £6,000.00 Labour Party Scottish Labour Party
04/08/2008 Scottish Power Plc - Sponsorship, 1 Atlantic Way £7,000.00 Labour Party Scottish Labour Party
10/12/2009 Scottish Power Limited - Sponsorship, CASTLE HOUSE £7,000.00 Labour Party Scottish Labour Party
01/10/2010 Scottish Power - Sponsorship, 1 Atlantic Quay £8,225.00 Labour Party Scottish Labour Party
31/12/2010 Scottish Power UK Plc, 1 Atlantic Quay £14,000.00 Labour Party Central Party
04/02/2011 Scottish Power, 1 Atlantic Quay, Robertson Street £2,937.50 Labour Party Scottish Labour Party
07/10/2011 Scottish Power, 1 Atlantic Quay, Robertson Street £8,400.00 Labour Party Scottish Labour Party
12/10/2012 Scottish Power, 1 Atlantic Quay, Robertson Street £8,400.00 Labour Party Scottish Labour Party
23/08/2013 Scottish Power, 1 Atlantic Quay, Robertson Street £8,400.00 Labour Party Scottish Labour Party
02/08/2013 Scottish Power UK Plc, 1 Atlantic Quay £14,000.00 Labour Party Central Party
31/10/2014 Scottish Power, 1 Atlantic Quay, Robertson Street £8,400.00 Labour Party Scottish Labour Party

[26]

External Links

ScottishPower website
ScottishPower Gas and Electricity Customer website
ScottishPower Energy Networks website

Address

Address: 1 Atlantic Quay, Glasgow, G2 8SP
Phone: 0141 248 8200

Notes

  1. ↑ Scottish Power logo
  2. ↑ Glasgow image
  3. ↑ Meet the Board
  4. ↑ "Sacked power chiefs get 'obscene' pay-off"
  5. ↑ Terry Macalister BP joins renewable power campaign group, The Guardian, 27/12/06, accessed 22/02/11
  6. ↑ Rob Evans and Paul Lewis Revealed: how energy firms spy on environmental activists The Guardian, 14/02/11, accessed 22/02/11
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Paul Lewis and Rob Evans Green groups targeted polluters as corporate agents hid in their ranks The Guardian, 14/02/11, accessed 14/02/11
  8. ↑ Partners Scottish Executive
  9. ↑ "ScottishPower Plans to Turn Open-cast Mine into Windfarm and Bird Habitat"
  10. ↑ http://www.scottishpower.com/PressReleases_537.htm “ScottishPower Announces Proposals for Third Large-Scale Scottish Windfarm"]
  11. ↑ "ScottishPower Spearheads Drive to Advise Business on the Climate Change Levy"
  12. ↑ "ScottishPower Brings Al Gore's 'An Inconvenient Truth' to Schools"
  13. ↑ "ScottishPower to Build World’s Biggest Wave Project off Orkney"
  14. ↑ Brochure
  15. ↑ Poster
  16. ↑ "Taking The Risk Out Of Devolution"
  17. ↑ Scottish Parliament
  18. ↑ Parliamentary News Release, “New Scheme Promotes Mutual Understanding Between MSPs and Scottish Businesses"
  19. ↑ "Taking The Risk Out Of Devolution"
  20. ↑ Energy Debt "Official Report 28 February 2007"
  21. ↑ Demos website
  22. ↑ Guardian, "BP joins renewable power campaign group"
  23. ↑ Scott Porter Research and Marketing Ltd, Clients
  24. ↑ Register 1st September 2014 - 30th November 2014 APPC, accessed 28 January 2015
  25. ↑ "SCOTLAND PLC: The Scottish Executive’s corporate links"
  26. ↑ Electoral Commission, Donation search, accessed 9 March 2015
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