INVERCLYDE looks set to miss out on a potential jobs boost as the UK Government seeks to base its flagship energy firm in Aberdeen, according to national media reports.

Publicly-owned company GB Energy has been allocated £8.3billion in funding over the next five years to develop future offshore wind projects as part of the UK’s transition to renewable energy.

The firm was one of the key points of Labour’s election campaign, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer having pledged that it would be headquartered in Scotland.

In July, it was reported in The Times Scotland that Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh had been identified as the three options for the headquarters.

There had previously been calls for the government to consider basing the firm in Inverclyde, with council leader Stephen McCabe noting that it is difficult for the area to 'compete with the cities for private sector jobs'.

Sir Keir StarmerSir Keir Starmer (Image: PA)

Last month, Inverclyde's MP Martin McCluskey met with energy minister Michael Shanks and welcomed the introduction of the new Great British Energy Bill to Parliament.

Following the meeting, he said: "I want GB Energy investment to come to our area and once the company is up and running, I will be pushing for them to invest in many of the shovel ready projects that our area has to offer."

BBC Scotland has today claimed that the company will be based in Aberdeen, which is home to a large proportion of the UK’s oil and gas industry.

The UK Government has not confirmed this and the Prime Minister is expected to make an official announcement in the coming weeks.

It is also understood that there will be 'smaller satellite offices' in other parts of the country.