Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 14 May 2025
14 May 2025 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Oil and Gas Industry
No—my time is far too brief.
As Douglas Lumsden rightly pointed out, the SNP has dragged its feet on publishing an energy strategy. The draft strategy was published on 10 January 2023, more than two years ago—that is, three cabinet secretaries and three First Ministers ago. Industry, trade unions and workers desperately need clarity from the SNP Government about what it is trying to achieve.
I agree whole-heartedly with Douglas Lumsden that last week’s news from Harbour Energy is hugely concerning. I spoke to the management this morning about its workforce plans and the support that it can put in place. We also discussed the fast-moving global context surrounding the industry, with oil now trading at $62 a barrel and, according to some analysts’ projections, heading as low as $50 a barrel.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-17525, in the name of Douglas Lumsden, on protecting Scotland’s oil and gas industry. I invite members wh...
Douglas Lumsden (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
In June last year, we had a debate in the chamber on oil and gas. Almost a year later, the sector is in a worse state, thanks to the policies of this devolve...
Audrey Nicoll (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP)
SNP
Has the member taken some time to read the recent Scottish Renewables “Scotland’s renewable energy industry—supply chain impact statement”, which sets out so...
Douglas Lumsden
Con
I am all for the jobs of tomorrow, but we need to protect the jobs of today. We have seen 2,500 jobs being lost in the past year—that is down to policies fro...
Humza Yousaf (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP)
SNP
Wait a minute—come on.
Douglas Lumsden
Con
To say to my constituents—Interruption.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Mr Lumsden—
Douglas Lumsden
Con
—and even more disgustingly, in the case of the cabinet secretary—Interruption.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Mr Lumsden. Can I remind you that the Presiding Officer—Interruption.
Douglas Lumsden
Con
Last week, the Presiding Officer did nothing about it—Interruption. On a point of order, Deputy Presiding Officer. On 8 May 2025, the First Minister used th...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Mr Lumsden, this is going to be a debate in which we are going to see emotions rise. I am asking, at the outset, if we can set a tone in which courtesy and r...
Douglas Lumsden
Con
Okay. Right.
Stephen Kerr (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
But that is not right.
The Acting Minister for Climate Action (Alasdair Allan)
SNP
Are you challenging the chair? Members: Oh!
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Minister, that is unhelpful by way of a contribution. Mr Lumsden, continue.
Douglas Lumsden
Con
I will move on, Deputy Presiding Officer. What is the Government doing for oil and gas workers in the north-east? The answer is nothing. What a tragic stage...
The Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy (Gillian Martin)
SNP
The energy transition is at the heart of Scotland’s economic growth potential as well as our response to global climate change, and it is vital to our energy...
Douglas Lumsden
Con
Will the member take an intervention?
Gillian Martin
SNP
I would like to make some progress, Deputy Presiding Officer—Interruption. It would be good to do so without being heckled. The EPL was introduced as a supp...
Stephen Kerr
Con
Abandoned!
Gillian Martin
SNP
Is the Acorn project up and running because of the Conservative Government? The answer is no. It was abandoned by the Tories when they were in power—
Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
Will the minister take an intervention on project Acorn?
Gillian Martin
SNP
I will.
Liam Kerr
Con
The previous Conservative Government put just over £40 million towards project Acorn. How much has the Scottish Government put towards it?
Gillian Martin
SNP
The Scottish Government has pledged upwards of £80 million—Interruption. The recommendation from those in the Acorn project and the Scottish cluster is that ...
Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Although I do not agree with some of the rhetoric of Douglas Lumsden’s characteristic contribution, I am grateful for the opportunity to debate the future of...
Gillian Martin
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Michael Marra
Lab
No—my time is far too brief. As Douglas Lumsden rightly pointed out, the SNP has dragged its feet on publishing an energy strategy. The draft strategy was p...
Stephen Kerr
Con
Will the member take an intervention?
Michael Marra
Lab
I am afraid that I do not have time. We must ensure that the fiscal regime for the UK continental shelf sustains continued employment, profits and tax reven...