Portfolio Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament am 2:00 pm ar 21 Tachwedd 2024.
Liam Kerr
Ceidwadwyr
2:00,
21 Tachwedd 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is, regarding any implications for its energy strategy and just transition plan, to the reported announcement by Apache that it will cease all operations in the North Sea by the end of 2029. (S6O-03996)
Gillian Martin
Scottish National Party
We are aware of reports of that disappointing commercial decision by Apache. As we finalise the energy strategy and just transition plan, we are committed to working in partnership with industry to deliver a just transition for Scotland’s valued oil and gas sector that recognises the declining nature of the North Sea basin but is also in line with our climate commitments.
As part of that, we continue to call on the United Kingdom Government, which holds key levers around the fiscal and regulatory regimes, to listen very carefully to the concerns that have been expressed by business on risks to jobs and investment in that transition.
Liam Kerr
Ceidwadwyr
Many North Sea firms now feel existentially threatened by the damaging anti-industry narratives of both Scotland’s Governments. Scottish ministers promised us an energy strategy in spring 2022 and then summer 2024, yet we still have no date for publication. Will the Minister give us a clear publication date for the strategy, and will she promise industry that the demonising mantra of “presumption against” will not feature in it?
Gillian Martin
Scottish National Party
In my view, as long as there is demand for fossil fuels in the United Kingdom, we should be meeting as much as possible of that demand from our domestic supply in the North Sea. It is up to us to reduce our demand.
It is notable that Apache singled out the energy profits levy—EPL—as a reason for its departure. That is a UK policy that was brought in by the former Conservative Government.
As far as I am concerned, we have to make sure that our energy strategy and just transition plan are as robust as possible. We are committed to publishing them as soon as we can. However, as Liam Kerr will know, there is a discussion to be had with the UK Government, which intends to consult on future approaches to new licensing for oil and gas, potentially refining the position. We want to play our part in that discussion. We believe that we have a nuanced and sensible approach, which looks at licensing on a case-by-case basis, includes robust climate compatibility assessment and considers energy security.
We have shown our commitment to the industry by assisting it in reducing its production emissions through the innovation and targeted oil and gas—INTOG—round of licensing for floating offshore wind.
Kevin Stewart
Scottish National Party
The UK Government’s energy plans are causing an energy exodus from the north-east. Labour’s flagship project GB energy will now receive only £100 million of funding over its first two years—that is nothing like the £8 billion that was pledged.
Can the Cabinet secretary provide an update on what engagement it has had with the UK Government on the concerns that businesses are expressing about risks to jobs and investment in the transition because of the changes to the energy profits levy and the allowances regime?
Gillian Martin
Scottish National Party
Scottish ministers engaged with UK counterparts on a number of matters in the run-up to the autumn budget. For example, the Acting Minister for Climate Action, who is sitting beside me, met the under-Secretary of State for energy in Aberdeen on 17 September. We continue to urge the UK Government to listen carefully to businesses on the ground about the impacts of the EPL on jobs and investment during the transition.
The UK Government also needs to work with industry to set out a stable, long-term fiscal regime to give the sector the much-needed certainty and stability that it deserves.
Liam McArthur
Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol
Thank you, Cabinet secretary. That concludes portfolio questions on net zero and energy, and transport. There will be a brief pause to allow a change of members on the front benches before we move on to the next item of business.
Question Time is an opportunity for MPs and Members of the House of Lords to ask Government Ministers questions. These questions are asked in the Chamber itself and are known as Oral Questions. Members may also put down Written Questions. In the House of Commons, Question Time takes place for an hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after Prayers. The different Government Departments answer questions according to a rota and the questions asked must relate to the responsibilities of the Government Department concerned. In the House of Lords up to four questions may be asked of the Government at the beginning of each day's business. They are known as 'starred questions' because they are marked with a star on the Order Paper. Questions may also be asked at the end of each day's business and these may include a short debate. They are known as 'unstarred questions' and are less frequent. Questions in both Houses must be written down in advance and put on the agenda and both Houses have methods for selecting the questions that will be asked. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P1 at the UK Parliament site.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
The cabinet is the group of twenty or so (and no more than 22) senior government ministers who are responsible for running the departments of state and deciding government policy.
It is chaired by the prime minister.
The cabinet is bound by collective responsibility, which means that all its members must abide by and defend the decisions it takes, despite any private doubts that they might have.
Cabinet ministers are appointed by the prime minister and chosen from MPs or peers of the governing party.
However, during periods of national emergency, or when no single party gains a large enough majority to govern alone, coalition governments have been formed with cabinets containing members from more than one political party.
War cabinets have sometimes been formed with a much smaller membership than the full cabinet.
From time to time the prime minister will reorganise the cabinet in order to bring in new members, or to move existing members around. This reorganisation is known as a cabinet re-shuffle.
The cabinet normally meets once a week in the cabinet room at Downing Street.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
