Meeting of the Parliament 11 November 2025
I refer the member to the answer that was given on that point just last week in the chamber, I think.
I am glad that the member raised that issue. I say this without meaning to be party political, but there have been other times when the publication of strategies and plans by the Scottish Government has been derided by other members. I am glad that there is now an enthusiasm, when it is right and appropriate, for plans and strategies, because they are an important part of how we drive policy and allocate resources.
In relation to reserved policy, a point was made about the energy profits levy. Although a levy on big business—not just energy businesses—was appropriate during the pandemic, when we saw, for example, our supermarkets making a significant profit, it is important to emphasise that the energy profits levy should end or be completely reformed at the earliest possible opportunity, and we continue to call on the UK Government to do that.
It is interesting that Norway was cited as an example. In relation to where we are now with the economy of the north-east and all of Scotland, we could have received so much more benefit from decades past if investment had been made proportionately and appropriately into Scotland, given the amount of resource that went into the UK Treasury from the north-east oil and gas industry. It is important for context to emphasise that on the record.
It is also important and appropriate to note what people have said about the need for fossil fuels and how that is considered in the context of a maturing basin. It is possible to acknowledge that we will need to continue to utilise fossil fuels in our economy and in our lives and note the benefits of moving to net zero and being less reliant on fossil fuels.