SNP call for UK oil funds to be ringfenced for Scotland's renewables to counter 'immoral job losses'
An Aberdeen MSP has called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to ‘curb the number of immoral job losses that lie on the doorstep on Number 10’
The SNP has called for UK North Sea oil and gas revenues to be ringfenced to boost Scotland’s renewables industry as Labour ministers are poised to approve two controversial fossil fuel developments.
Reports suggest that the UK Labour government is set to give the go-ahead to the Jackdaw gas field, while ministers are also considering the Rosebank oil development.
Labour are wrestling with pressure from climate campaigners to keep to a manifesto commitment to end new North Sea oil and gas licences, but are facing demands from fossil fuel giants to approve the two developments, which do not require a new exploration permit - but require new applications for environmental consent signed off.
Now, Aberdeen Central MSP, Jack Middleton, has called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to ringfence all future tax revenues from the North Sea oil and gas sector to be invested in Scotland’s renewables industry.
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The SNP MSP has previously supported the developments and his party has changed its position on oil and gas, with John Swinney’s team arguing there is an economic and energy security case for more drilling in the North Sea.
The SNP government wants Westminster to devolve energy powers to Holyrood despite not having published a full energy strategy since 2017. Despite the document not being updated in nine years, Mr Swinney’s programme for government last week committed to publish a “refreshed energy strategy” but gave no timescale other than before the 2031 Holyrood election.
Mr Middleton said: “We rely on oil and gas for 75 per cent of our energy needs. While we work to reduce that dependence, and meet our net zero targets, we’ll still need oil and gas to survive for many decades to come.
“When I gave my explicit public backing to Jackdaw and Rosebank, I was clear that the billions of pounds the UK government would take from the projects in tax revenue should be earmarked for direct investment in Scotland’s renewables industry.
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“This is how we grow our renewables sector, create more long-term Scottish jobs, and reduce oil and gas reliance.”
He added: “Westminster has taken over £400bn in taxation from the North Sea since Scotland discovered oil, and frankly we’ve been fleeced - with very little to show for the immense wealth that’s been created in Aberdeen.
“If the Prime Minister wants to curb the number of immoral job losses that lie on the doorstep on Number 10, and halt the deindustrialisation of the North East of Scotland – he must commit to investing the tax revenues raised from North Sea projects in Scottish renewables alone.
“No ifs, no buts – North Sea billions must not be squandered again by Westminster or used to fund unnecessary vanity projects in North England.
“The sad reality is that Scotland shouldn’t be having to make this plea to politicians based hundreds of miles away in London. Only Scotland should call the shots when it comes to Scotland’s energy resources.”
The Labour UK government is already favouring renewables and other types of energy including nuclear as oil and gas declines over the coming decades and has committed to a clean power system by 2030.
A UK government spokesperson said: “The North Sea remains a vital national asset and oil and gas will continue to play an important role in our energy system for decades to come, alongside transitioning to clean power to protect jobs and tackle the climate crisis.”
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