Former government ministers support SELECT’s campaign

The groundswell of opinion in favour of the campaign for protection of title for electricians has continued into 2024 with a New Year declaration of support from another four prominent members of the Scottish Parliament.

 

Former Business and Trade Minister Ivan McKee and ex-Transport Minister Kevin Stewart have both shown their backing for the regulation of the industry by signing up to the Wall of Support, spearheaded by SELECT.

 

The duo has been joined by Conservative MSPs Craig Hoy and Oliver Mundell as the long-running campaign continues to attract cross-party support from all political factions. 

 

Ivan says, “Our future heating and energy demands will be met by technology such as solar panels, battery storage and electric heating, which means that electricians will play an ever-increasing role in all our lives.

 

“Regulation would provide the reassurance that someone calling themself an electrician was qualified to undertake such work and would also enhance the profession’s status and reputation. That’s why I am backing SELECT’s campaign to regulate electricians by introducing protection of title for the profession of electrician.”

 

SELECT’s Managing Director, Alan Wilson says, “As we enter another year in our long-running campaign, it is particularly heartening to receive even more support from prominent parliamentarians, particularly those who have served in a ministerial capacity.

 

“AT SELECT, we feel there is a growing understanding of the validity of the case that is being made for electricians, who will be the professionals we turn to as we transition to net zero and an electric future.

 

“The campaign, which focuses on safety in the home and businesses, has been a long, hard road, but there is a sense that we are entering the end game and we will continue to focus all our efforts on bringing it to a successful conclusion.”

 

By putting their names on a virtual brick in the Wall, supporters are taking a public stance that underlines their backing for legislation in Holyrood, which would make it an offence for someone to call themselves an electrician when they have inadequate qualifications.

 

SELECT has been leading the campaign for years with other industry bodies, including the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB) and Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT), ensuring that those who work in the industry do so safely and competently.

 

As well as more than a third of MSPs, other bodies that have contributed a brick to the wall include Unite the Union, Electrical Safety First, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the Scottish Association of Landlords, the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ Group and the Energy Saving Trust. 

 

Read more about SELECT here.