Swinney: Scottish Government does not back UK ban on new North Sea oil and gas licences

The Scottish Government does not support a ban on new oil and gas developments in the North Sea, John Swinney has said.

The UK Government published its draft Energy Independence Bill on Wednesday. If passed, it would put into law a ban on new licences for oil and gas exploration in the North Sea.

The announcement drew criticism from both the industry and the Prime Minister's political opponents.

"We do not support" licence ban

Speaking at First Minister's Questions on Thursday, Mr Swinney said his Government does not support the ban, believing instead that new developments should be subject to climate compatibility tests.

Under questioning from Reform UK's leader in Scotland, Malcolm Offord, the First Minister said the Bill brings together a number of measures, but added: "We do not support the provisions of that Bill in relation to the position on the granting of new licences for the exploration of new oil and gas fields."

Reform claims U-turn

Lord Offord accused the First Minister of a U-turn on his previous position on oil and gas, saying he was "delighted" with the shift.

"It's time now to re-industrialise our country again, to re-energise our country again, to get our people back to work," he said.

"We cannot do that with the most expensive energy in the western world, we are floating on a sea of affordable and secure oil and gas – it is madness to shut down the North Sea."

A long-running debate

The future of the North Sea has been one of the most contested issues in Scottish politics, balancing tens of thousands of jobs in the north-east against climate targets. The SNP has previously argued for a "just transition" away from fossil fuels while opposing an abrupt end to production.

With energy prices high because of the conflict in the Middle East, the question of domestic supply has become even more politically charged.