(Aberdeen South)
(SNP): Given the longest and deepest recession in the entire
G7, Brexit, 13 years of Tory rule, the energy price crisis,
inflation and high interest rates, if the people of Scotland do
the maths—as the Prime Minister so hopes—will they not come to
the conclusion that this Union simply does not add up?
The Prime Minister: I am pleased that the hon. Gentleman
brought up the subject of energy. He was right to do so. When it
comes to the economy, energy is incredibly important to Scotland,
and Scotland will play a fantastic part in helping us make the
transition to net zero. We now know, however, that the Scottish
Government do not want to support the Scottish energy industry
and the 200,000 jobs that it produces. I am keen to work with the
Scottish Government to support the North sea, because it is
something of which we are all very proud in the United Kingdom.
(Banff and Buchan)
(Con): Unlike parties opposite, including the Scottish
National party—even the hon. Member for Aberdeen South ()—I know my right hon. Friend
recognises the critical role that oil and gas companies and their
employees have in not only providing energy security but
delivering the energy transition to net zero. Can he confirm this
Government’s ongoing commitment to expanding our carbon capture
utilisation and storage capacity, including the Acorn project in
St Fergus in my constituency? Can he provide an update on the
track 2 sequencing?
The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend is a fantastic champion
and campaigner for this project. We will invest up to £1 billion
to establish carbon capture and storage in four industrial
clusters by 2030. We very much recognise the benefits of the
Scottish cluster and the role it could play in decarbonisation,
and we are progressing track 2 and will set out further details
in due course.
