To ask the Scottish Government whether it has a policy of a presumption against new oil and gas licences. (S6O-04114)

As the member will be aware, decisions on offshore oil and gas licensing and consenting are reserved to the United Kingdom Government. The Scottish Government’s draft energy strategy and just transition plan includes a proposal for consultation of support for a presumption against licensing for exploration to identify entirely new fields. We have never proposed a policy of no new licensing at all. Where fields are already identified but are not yet in production, we consulted on support for those continuing to progress through the licensing and consenting process, subject to a robust climate compatibility checkpoint.

The judgments and issues in the strategy are informed and influenced by recent developments in the UK Government’s energy policy and court decisions. This is a rapidly changing landscape and we are taking time to reflect on those developments and the strategy before drawing any conclusions and publishing any final strategy.

I do not think that anyone will be the wiser as to where the Scottish Government stands on this after that answer from the Minister.

As members will know, the energy sector has fiercely criticised the Government’s uncertain tone when its energy strategy and just transition plan was unveiled last year. That tone has knocked confidence and discouraged industry investment.

Workers in the sector urgently need confidence that the energy transition will protect the livelihoods of their communities across Scotland. A lack of clarity on new oil and gas licences or the future of Scotland’s refinery capacity at Grangemouth does not build confidence. Will the Government now step up with a plan that meets Scotland’s energy security from our own natural resources, and provide a realistic plan to restore the industry confidence that will secure sectoral skills?

I do not think that anyone could be in any doubt, realistically, about the Scottish Government’s commitment not only to finding a just transition but to supporting the jobs that exist in the sector that the member mentioned.

The member also mentioned Grangemouth. I remind her of her exchange with the First Minister on the subject, in which he reacted to the comments that she made about the situation at Grangemouth, saying:

“I am actively pursuing an option to maintain the refining capacity at Grangemouth. If that needs to be stated again, I will state it again to Parliament”.—[Official Report, 21 November 2024; c 17.]

Since 2021, the words and actions of the Government have demonised the oil and gas industry and condemned steps to secure our energy security at Rosebank and Cambo. Can the Minister say that the poisoned rhetoric of Nicola Sturgeon, Humza Yousaf and Patrick Harvie has been consigned to history, and will his Government act now to secure the livelihoods of 100,000 people and remove the presumption against oil and gas?

I suggest that the language and rhetoric that has been overstated is that which we heard in the question. I state again that the judgment and issues in the strategy will be informed and influenced by recent developments in UK Government energy policy and by court decisions. Any responsible Government would be expected to do that.

Will the Minister acknowledge that the Government’s energy strategy was promised years ago, and that we urgently need confidence for new investment right across Scotland’s supply chains and a just transition for workers, never mind more delays with the strategy or in planning decisions on renewables? When will the Government’s energy strategy and just transition plan be published?

That is not directly related to the original question, but if the Minister can add anything by way of response, that would be helpful.

I am not sure that I can add much more, other than to say that the Government will reflect on the issues before drawing any conclusions and publishing any final strategy.