Michael Shanks MP
@michaelshanksmp.co.uk
Proud to serve as Rutherglen's Labour Member of Parliament. UK Energy Minister. Charity trustee and volunteer. Occasional runner.
Valentine’s Day - a few years back I was doing some volunteering in John Duns Scotus Church and found they hold some of St Valentine’s bones!
So there’s a romantic getaway - because nothing says Valentine’s Day like the skeletal remnants of an ancient martyr in the Gorbals. 💀💐
So there’s a romantic getaway - because nothing says Valentine’s Day like the skeletal remnants of an ancient martyr in the Gorbals. 💀💐
February 14, 2026 at 8:46 AM
Valentine’s Day - a few years back I was doing some volunteering in John Duns Scotus Church and found they hold some of St Valentine’s bones!
So there’s a romantic getaway - because nothing says Valentine’s Day like the skeletal remnants of an ancient martyr in the Gorbals. 💀💐
So there’s a romantic getaway - because nothing says Valentine’s Day like the skeletal remnants of an ancient martyr in the Gorbals. 💀💐
In Norway 🇳🇴 for the Oslo Energy Forum.
At an uncertain time closer cooperation with our European allies and friends is the only way to safeguard our collective energy security and unlock shared prosperity.
At an uncertain time closer cooperation with our European allies and friends is the only way to safeguard our collective energy security and unlock shared prosperity.
February 12, 2026 at 7:37 PM
In Norway 🇳🇴 for the Oslo Energy Forum.
At an uncertain time closer cooperation with our European allies and friends is the only way to safeguard our collective energy security and unlock shared prosperity.
At an uncertain time closer cooperation with our European allies and friends is the only way to safeguard our collective energy security and unlock shared prosperity.
Reposted by Michael Shanks MP
Today’s Local Power Plan announcement is the biggest investment in community-owned energy in British history.
Our members have fought for years to put power and profit in community hands. Now that work will shape the future of energy ownership in the UK.⚡️
Our members have fought for years to put power and profit in community hands. Now that work will shape the future of energy ownership in the UK.⚡️
February 10, 2026 at 10:46 AM
Today’s Local Power Plan announcement is the biggest investment in community-owned energy in British history.
Our members have fought for years to put power and profit in community hands. Now that work will shape the future of energy ownership in the UK.⚡️
Our members have fought for years to put power and profit in community hands. Now that work will shape the future of energy ownership in the UK.⚡️
Taken together with the offshore wind auction last month we have secured the most clean, homegrown power in British history.
We’re on track to deliver our clean power mission and bring down bills for good.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
We’re on track to deliver our clean power mission and bring down bills for good.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
More solar farms on the way after record renewables auction
The results have been welcomed by climate and clean energy groups but could face opposition from local communities.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 10:42 AM
Taken together with the offshore wind auction last month we have secured the most clean, homegrown power in British history.
We’re on track to deliver our clean power mission and bring down bills for good.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
We’re on track to deliver our clean power mission and bring down bills for good.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Michael Shanks MP
Miliband pledges up to £1bn for community green energy schemes
Miliband pledges up to £1bn for community green energy schemes
UK projects will allow local areas to control and profit from renewable power generation, says energy secretary
The UK government is pledging to spend up to £1bn on community-owned green energy schemes in an effort to combat growing scepticism and resistance to renewables and grid upgrade projects.
Ed Miliband, the UK energy secretary, said the new funding was intended to help democratise the energy system, increase the wealth and financial independence of local communities, and potentially cut some local energy bills. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 10:41 PM
Miliband pledges up to £1bn for community green energy schemes
Tomorrow - we launch the biggest investment in community energy in British history.
The Local Power Plan will build wealth and power in communities across the country - driven by communities, for communities, supported by Great British Energy.
The Local Power Plan will build wealth and power in communities across the country - driven by communities, for communities, supported by Great British Energy.
February 9, 2026 at 10:42 PM
Tomorrow - we launch the biggest investment in community energy in British history.
The Local Power Plan will build wealth and power in communities across the country - driven by communities, for communities, supported by Great British Energy.
The Local Power Plan will build wealth and power in communities across the country - driven by communities, for communities, supported by Great British Energy.
The country is rightly impatient for change and for government that serves their interests above all else.
Our job is simple: stay focused, get on with the hard work of delivering instead of looking inwardly at ourselves and remember the people who we serve.
Our job is simple: stay focused, get on with the hard work of delivering instead of looking inwardly at ourselves and remember the people who we serve.
February 9, 2026 at 4:17 PM
The country is rightly impatient for change and for government that serves their interests above all else.
Our job is simple: stay focused, get on with the hard work of delivering instead of looking inwardly at ourselves and remember the people who we serve.
Our job is simple: stay focused, get on with the hard work of delivering instead of looking inwardly at ourselves and remember the people who we serve.
Great to join John Grady MP in Govanhill today to see the People’s Pantry in action.
Following my food insecurity roundtable a few weeks ago I’m seeing how other models could provide affordable, nutritious food locally.
Thanks to the volunteers and staff for being so welcoming.
Following my food insecurity roundtable a few weeks ago I’m seeing how other models could provide affordable, nutritious food locally.
Thanks to the volunteers and staff for being so welcoming.
February 6, 2026 at 4:14 PM
Great to join John Grady MP in Govanhill today to see the People’s Pantry in action.
Following my food insecurity roundtable a few weeks ago I’m seeing how other models could provide affordable, nutritious food locally.
Thanks to the volunteers and staff for being so welcoming.
Following my food insecurity roundtable a few weeks ago I’m seeing how other models could provide affordable, nutritious food locally.
Thanks to the volunteers and staff for being so welcoming.
Tonight along with my Labour colleagues we voted to scrap the two child limit - a decision that will lift 95,000 Scottish children out of poverty.
The Tories and Reform voted against that.
Labour is tackling child poverty and giving every child the best possible start in life.
The Tories and Reform voted against that.
Labour is tackling child poverty and giving every child the best possible start in life.
February 3, 2026 at 8:19 PM
Tonight along with my Labour colleagues we voted to scrap the two child limit - a decision that will lift 95,000 Scottish children out of poverty.
The Tories and Reform voted against that.
Labour is tackling child poverty and giving every child the best possible start in life.
The Tories and Reform voted against that.
Labour is tackling child poverty and giving every child the best possible start in life.
We all survived January and the days are getting longer 🥳
Here’s what your UK Labour Government has been busy working on over the past month…
Tackling the cost of living, improving public services, rebuilding Britain.
Here’s what your UK Labour Government has been busy working on over the past month…
Tackling the cost of living, improving public services, rebuilding Britain.
February 1, 2026 at 1:18 PM
We all survived January and the days are getting longer 🥳
Here’s what your UK Labour Government has been busy working on over the past month…
Tackling the cost of living, improving public services, rebuilding Britain.
Here’s what your UK Labour Government has been busy working on over the past month…
Tackling the cost of living, improving public services, rebuilding Britain.
The Royal Burgh of Rutherglen is 900 years old - and last night we celebrated the start of a whole year of festivities!
January 30, 2026 at 5:56 PM
The Royal Burgh of Rutherglen is 900 years old - and last night we celebrated the start of a whole year of festivities!
Last night we kicked off the celebrations for Rutherglen turning 900! 🎉
An amazing evening in the Town Hall of music, stories and memories.
Thanks to everyone who took part and who organised the event. There’s an exciting year ahead!
An amazing evening in the Town Hall of music, stories and memories.
Thanks to everyone who took part and who organised the event. There’s an exciting year ahead!
January 30, 2026 at 3:18 PM
Last night we kicked off the celebrations for Rutherglen turning 900! 🎉
An amazing evening in the Town Hall of music, stories and memories.
Thanks to everyone who took part and who organised the event. There’s an exciting year ahead!
An amazing evening in the Town Hall of music, stories and memories.
Thanks to everyone who took part and who organised the event. There’s an exciting year ahead!
Today the North Sea Future Board met for the first time in Aberdeen.
Industry experts across the sector, supply chains and trade unions came together to ensure workers, communities and businesses are supported in the energy transition and deliver a bright future for the North Sea.
Industry experts across the sector, supply chains and trade unions came together to ensure workers, communities and businesses are supported in the energy transition and deliver a bright future for the North Sea.
January 29, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Today the North Sea Future Board met for the first time in Aberdeen.
Industry experts across the sector, supply chains and trade unions came together to ensure workers, communities and businesses are supported in the energy transition and deliver a bright future for the North Sea.
Industry experts across the sector, supply chains and trade unions came together to ensure workers, communities and businesses are supported in the energy transition and deliver a bright future for the North Sea.
Our exposure to gas we don't control is what caused bills to rise.
This is the truth that Badenoch and Farage can't run from.
They want to keep Britain dependent on foreign markets. We want energy security here at home and to tackle the cost of energy once and for all.
This is the truth that Badenoch and Farage can't run from.
They want to keep Britain dependent on foreign markets. We want energy security here at home and to tackle the cost of energy once and for all.
NEW: Expensive gas still biggest driver of high UK electricity bills, says UKERC
"Volatile, gas-linked market prices – not green policies, as some misleading claims have suggested – dominate the real-terms increase in bills since 2021."
www.carbonbrief.org/expensive-ga...
"Volatile, gas-linked market prices – not green policies, as some misleading claims have suggested – dominate the real-terms increase in bills since 2021."
www.carbonbrief.org/expensive-ga...
January 28, 2026 at 12:53 PM
Our exposure to gas we don't control is what caused bills to rise.
This is the truth that Badenoch and Farage can't run from.
They want to keep Britain dependent on foreign markets. We want energy security here at home and to tackle the cost of energy once and for all.
This is the truth that Badenoch and Farage can't run from.
They want to keep Britain dependent on foreign markets. We want energy security here at home and to tackle the cost of energy once and for all.
A genuine pleasure to meet His Excellency the Japanese Ambassador to the UK in Parliament earlier as we celebrated the close ties between 🇯🇵 Japan and the UK 🇬🇧 and our shared commitment to clean energy and supply chain growth.
January 27, 2026 at 4:20 PM
A genuine pleasure to meet His Excellency the Japanese Ambassador to the UK in Parliament earlier as we celebrated the close ties between 🇯🇵 Japan and the UK 🇬🇧 and our shared commitment to clean energy and supply chain growth.
On Holocaust Memorial Day we remember six million Jews murdered and all those who are victims of genocides throughout history.
As time passes from the Holocaust we redouble our efforts to educate and inform the next generation of the horror and thank Holocaust UK for all their work.
As time passes from the Holocaust we redouble our efforts to educate and inform the next generation of the horror and thank Holocaust UK for all their work.
January 27, 2026 at 9:43 AM
On Holocaust Memorial Day we remember six million Jews murdered and all those who are victims of genocides throughout history.
As time passes from the Holocaust we redouble our efforts to educate and inform the next generation of the horror and thank Holocaust UK for all their work.
As time passes from the Holocaust we redouble our efforts to educate and inform the next generation of the horror and thank Holocaust UK for all their work.
Clean power is the route to energy security, jobs and billpayers protected from volatile fossil fuel markets.
It is an opportunity for all of Europe, and Britain is doubling down:
It is an opportunity for all of Europe, and Britain is doubling down:
OPINION: By accelerating our drive to clean energy, today’s North Sea Summit will be fundamental in delivering the energy security and prosperity Europe desperately needs.
Miliband and Jørgensen: Clean energy is Europe’s only route to security and prosperity
Today’s summit will be fundamental in delivering the energy security and prosperity Europe desperately needs.
www.politico.eu
January 26, 2026 at 1:10 PM
Clean power is the route to energy security, jobs and billpayers protected from volatile fossil fuel markets.
It is an opportunity for all of Europe, and Britain is doubling down:
It is an opportunity for all of Europe, and Britain is doubling down:
Happy Burns Day! It was great to join Calderwood Primary last week where the P6 classes put on a fantastic evening! 🏴
January 25, 2026 at 12:51 PM
Happy Burns Day! It was great to join Calderwood Primary last week where the P6 classes put on a fantastic evening! 🏴
Happy Burns Day! It was great to join Calderwood Primary last week where the P6 classes put on a fantastic evening! 🏴
January 25, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Happy Burns Day! It was great to join Calderwood Primary last week where the P6 classes put on a fantastic evening! 🏴
Absolutely fantastic Seeger Sessions Revival gig at Celtic Connections tonight
January 24, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Absolutely fantastic Seeger Sessions Revival gig at Celtic Connections tonight
Fantastic to see so many people at Whitlawburn Resource Centre today for the Energy Boost Café. ☕️⚡️
Lots of great conversations and constituency casework picked up. Huge thanks to the amazing team at Whitlawburn for everything they do for the community. 👏
Lots of great conversations and constituency casework picked up. Huge thanks to the amazing team at Whitlawburn for everything they do for the community. 👏
January 23, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Fantastic to see so many people at Whitlawburn Resource Centre today for the Energy Boost Café. ☕️⚡️
Lots of great conversations and constituency casework picked up. Huge thanks to the amazing team at Whitlawburn for everything they do for the community. 👏
Lots of great conversations and constituency casework picked up. Huge thanks to the amazing team at Whitlawburn for everything they do for the community. 👏
Mental health doesn’t tend to follow a calendar but today’s a good point to reach out to those around us, check in and have a proper conversation - it could make all the difference.
And if you need support, phone the @samaritans.bsky.social 24/7 on 116 123. ☎️
#BlueMonday #BrewMonday
And if you need support, phone the @samaritans.bsky.social 24/7 on 116 123. ☎️
#BlueMonday #BrewMonday
January 19, 2026 at 8:49 AM
Mental health doesn’t tend to follow a calendar but today’s a good point to reach out to those around us, check in and have a proper conversation - it could make all the difference.
And if you need support, phone the @samaritans.bsky.social 24/7 on 116 123. ☎️
#BlueMonday #BrewMonday
And if you need support, phone the @samaritans.bsky.social 24/7 on 116 123. ☎️
#BlueMonday #BrewMonday
This wee guy stands halfway up a tenement wall in Rutherglen, I like to think just trying to spot trouble!
January 18, 2026 at 7:22 PM
This wee guy stands halfway up a tenement wall in Rutherglen, I like to think just trying to spot trouble!
Reposted by Michael Shanks MP
“The gas network will continue to play a key role in our energy system."
Energy Minister opens new national training centre in Cambuslang
www.glasgowtimes.co.uk
January 17, 2026 at 8:26 AM
“The gas network will continue to play a key role in our energy system."