Edinburgh or London - decisions on oil and gas just need to happen - leader comment

Industry bosses hope the North Sea oil and gas sector have enjoy a revival | PA

A new poll today suggests three out of five Scots want Holyrood ministers to make decisions on new oil and gas licences, instead of Westminster.

Now that is tempting given the amount of time it is taking to decide upon projects, and First Minister John Swinney’s comments last week that he opposed at outright ban on new drilling.

Amid the delays and consultations, thousands of jobs are being lost from the industry, particularly in the north east of Scotland. Skills which will be vital to realising the much-trumpeted energy transition are being lost. Fossil fuel firms which should be leading on that transition are instead packing up and leaving.

What should happen is that Scottish Ministers and Westminster work effectively together on licensing and the overall vision to turn Aberdeen from the oil capital of Europe into the renewables capital. We are going to be relying on oil and gas for a long time. It makes no sense either economically or from an environmental point of view to leave our rich resources in the ground while importing what we need. It also does little to ensure energy security at a time of geopolitical turmoil. Scotland has the infrastructure, and crucially has the people who can make this happen. But neither will hang around indefinitely.

Getting to a point where our governments can put constitutional differences aside to work in the interests of the nation is vital.

Exploiting the resources of the North Sea while having a robust plan to build the industry of the future is just common sense. The window, however, is closing, with still no decision on the huge Rosebank project, not to mention the others which are waiting in the wings.

The risk to Scotland’s economy, to whole communities and supply chains which rely on this business is stark. Today’s poll may show support for decisions about Scotland being taken in Scotland. At the end of the day, however, whether the determinations are made in Edinburgh or London, they just need to happen – and fast.

It’s the thought that counts

It’s the thought that counts

Apparently, the festive gift budget for couples falls after 15 years of being in relationship, research tells us today.

Leaving aside why on earth this research was conducted, the explanation is surely pretty simple. After 15 Christmases, could it be that inspiration becomes harder to come by? Or is it that’s how long it takes for couples to realise the most important part of Christmas is not receiving a gift, but being together? That would be a nice thought, but probably not. Those who have been with their partner for 11 to 15 years spend £243 on average on festive gifts for their other half, compared with an overall average of £193. But the budget then falls to £189 on average among couples who have been together for 16 to 20 years, edging down further to £180 for those in relationships lasting more than 20 years.

Of course the value of the gift is not measured in pounds… it is in providing a gift receipt so it can be returned in January.