SNP Energy spokesperson has said it is ‘time for
powers over energy to be in Scotland's hands, not Westminster's'.
The Angus MP was speaking on the 60th anniversary
(Monday April 15th) of the introduction of the
Continental Shelf Act – the law which handed Westminster powers
over ‘exploration and exploitation' of Scotland's vast energy
resources in the North Sea.
Since the 1970s more than £300 billion has flowed to the UK
Treasury in oil and gas taxation. The latest Office for Budget
Responsibility (OBR) forecast estimates that Westminster will
rake in a further £20.6 billion from Scotland's natural
resources in the next 5 years.
Mr Doogan has said that taxation that is still to come from the
North Sea should be re-invested into growing the green economy in
Scotland, and added that the question of Scotland's energy and
its billions in revenues will be ‘at the heart' of the general
election campaign.
Commenting, Dave Doogan MP said:
“This anniversary is a pertinent reminder of the fact that for 60
years Scotland's vast energy resources have been under
Westminster control. Instead of investing the £300 billion
in Scotland's North Sea revenue to build up infrastructure, to
grow the economy, to tackle poverty or invest in public services,
that money was squandered by successive Westminster Governments
to prop up a failing UK economic system. This is as true today as
it was 60 years ago.
“That's why Scotland's energy will be at the heart of the general
election campaign and it's why a vote for the SNP is a vote to
control our energy future. A vote for the SNP is a vote
for powers over energy to be in Scotland's hands with
independence, not Westminster's.
“This is Scotland's energy – and it must first and foremost
benefit the people and communities of Scotland.
“With independence, we will do what Labour and the Tories have
failed to do - make Scotland's energy work for
Scotland, not for Westminster.
“That means that in energy rich Scotland, people shouldn't be
paying some of the highest energy bills in Europe during this
cost-of-living crisis. It means re-investing Scotland's energy
wealth back into our communities, rather than seeing it flow to
Westminster. And it means the taxation that is still to come from
the North Sea, should be re-invested into growing the green
economy in Scotland.
“The future of Scotland's energy goes to the very heart of the
choice that will come at the general election. Westminster isn't
working for Scotland – and it's time that decisions about
Scotland were taken in Scotland, for Scotland, to benefit the
people of Scotland.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
The Continental Shelf Act was introduced in Westminster on
15th April 1964, making legal the search for and
utilisation of energy resources in the North Sea. Its stated
intention was,
“An Act to make provision as to the
exploration and exploitation of the continental shelf.”
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1964/29#:~:text=1964%20CHAPTER%2029,matters%20connected%20with%20those%20purposes.&text=I1Act%20wholly%20in%20force%20at%20Royal%20Assent.
Latest OBR forecast – North Sea Revenue Forecast of £20.6 billion
until 2029 - Page 150
https://obr.uk/docs/dlm_uploads/E03057758_OBR_EFO-March-2024_Web-AccessibleFinal.pdf
