John Swinney has been accused of being a “cheerleader” for the downfall of oil and gas after confirming his SNP government won’t support all new licences for 2026/27.
In his Programme for Government, the SNP leader revealed that over the next year, he will be calling on the UK Government to take an “evidence-led and case-by-case approach” to decisions on new North Sea oil and gas projects.
Rather than scrapping the energy profits levy completely, he said he will call on Andy Burnham to replace it with a “fairer system” that taxes excess profits.
That’s in contrast with the views of the Scottish Conservatives who want all new oil and gas licences approved and for the levy to be scrapped in its entirety.
Within his Programme for Government which spans across the next five years until 2031, Swinney said he wants a “fresh focus on climate resilience” by creating green jobs in every corner of Scotland.
Scottish Conservative MP for Aberdeen South, Douglas Lumsden, who yesterday in Westminster urged Andy Burnham to approve Jackdaw and Rosebank, said: “John Swinney’s stance on not supporting all new oil and gas projects, as well as not wanting to scrap the energy profits levy in its entirety, is a fresh betrayal to our North Sea sector.
“His apparent softening of his opposition to new projects during the Holyrood election and before the Aberdeen South by-election was nothing more than a cynical attempt to con people into thinking the SNP’s stance had changed.
“Swinney’s Programme for Government is conclusive proof he is a cheerleader for the downfall of our oil and gas sector, and that an SNP leopard never changes its spots.
“Aberdeen used to be known as the oil and gas capital of Europe, yet both the SNP and Labour are happy to throw that proud title away to import oil and gas from abroad, threatening thousands of jobs in the process.
“It’s clear Andy Burnham is no different to John Swinney, both of whom want to dismantle our precious oil and gas industry, which is currently on life support, risking our energy security and threatening our economy.”
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In his Programme for Government, John Swinney said: “(I want) new, green jobs in every corner of Scotland to help ensure climate action goes hand in hand with our commitment to grow the economy, develop all regions, and ensure the right infrastructure in the right places so local communities can capitalise on those opportunities.”
He added: “Starting now and across 2026-27, we will call on the UK Government to take an evidence-led and case-by-case approach to decisions on North Sea projects, with climate compatibility and energy security as primary considerations.
“We will advocate for the Energy Profits Levy to be replaced with a fairer system that taxes excess profits and protects the jobs, energy security and investment in our energy sector.”
