Swinney criticises UK move to ban new North Sea drilling

Published5 November 2026, 15:36 GMT

First Minister John Swinney says he does not support the UK government's plans to ban any new exploration for oil and gas in the North Sea.

The SNP leader told MSPs fossil fuels would be required "for some years to come".

He argued there was a "rational" case for further exploration if the project's carbon emissions was lower than using imported fuel.

The Scottish government, in its 2023 energy strategy, set out a presumption against new oil and gas drilling.

If passed by MPs, the UK government's Energy Independence Bill would remove the North Sea Transition Authority's ability to grant fresh oil and gas licences, in line with a Labour manifesto pledge not to grant permission for new fields.

It does not affect the decision on whether to allow drilling at Rosebank off Shetland - the UK's largest known untapped field - which was approved in 2022 before being subject to legal challenges.

Swinney has repeatedly refused to be drawn on whether he explicitly supports drilling at Rosebank.

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Asked about the bill at First Minister's Questions, Swinney said: "The government has set out our view that because we are going to be using oil and gas for years to come there is a rational basis for considering oil and gas developments within our own jurisdiction if they offer lower carbon emissions than imported oil and gas."

He told parliament the UK government's bill includes several measures his government supports, adding: "But we do not support the provisions of that bill in relation to the position on the granting of new licences."

Swinney said this was because "any particular applications need to be considered in relation to their impact on our carbon reduction target and given the fact we are going to be using oil and gas for some years to come".

'Shocking U-turn'

Decisions on new oil and gas licences are made by the UK government.

However, under Nicola Sturgeon's leadership, the Scottish government proposed a presumption against new oil and gas developments.

The Swinney administration appears to have shifted away from that position, especially since the outbreak of war in the Middle East.

Scottish ministers nevertheless continue to stress any oil and gas developments should be compatible with the government's ambitions to cut carbon emissions over time.

Scottish Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay described Swinney's comments as a "shocking U-turn".

She said: "It is a huge departure from only a few years ago when the Scottish government was committed to a presumption against oil and gas.

"When even the UK government is taking a stronger position, it shows how far the SNP has drifted. It is a shameful retreat and a slap in the face for future generations."

Reform UK Scotland leader Malcolm Offord said: "I welcome this breaking news from the first minister as it overrules the SNP's long-standing presumption against new oil and gas exploration."

Although the UK bill would prevent the granting of new licences, it would allow existing oil and gas fields to provide additional production from within its existing boundaries, or in nearby areas.

The UK government said the move could produce about 60 million barrels of oil and support hundreds of jobs.

It vowed to sustain "growth and investment across North Sea communities as the energy sector transitions".

The wide-ranging bill would also formally scrap gas standing charges and introduce reforms designed to speed up grid connections.

Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said the bill would help to "build a clean energy future which people feel in their pockets, households and communities, ensuring support reaches those who need it most".

The SNP will seek to remove the ban on new oil and gas drilling from the bill. If this does not happen they will oppose the legislation despite supporting other measures contained within it.

Related topics

Scotland

John Swinney

SNP (Scottish National Party)

North Sea oil and gas

Oil & Gas industry

Scottish government

UK government

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