UK Government ‘on the right side of history’ with oil and gas Bill, says Ross

The UK Government is “on the right side of history” with its new oil and gas Bill, the leader of the Scottish Tories has said.

The Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill would require the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) to carry out annual licensing rounds for new oil and gas developments, as opposed to the current ad hoc process.

It has been delayed after Westminster business ran later than expected on Monday, leaving just 45 minutes for its first parliamentary stage.

Several prominent Conservative MPs have said they will not support the Bill, including former Cop26 president Sir Alok Sharma.

The legislation also prompted the resignation of net zero tsar Chris Skidmore, sparking a by-election.

But Douglas Ross – who represents the Moray seat at Westminster as well as leading the Tories in Scotland – said he will back the Bill and had intended to do so on Monday.

“It’s absolutely crucial that we support the north-east economy here in Scotland, our oil and gas sector, unlike Labour and the SNP, who want to abandon it,” he told BBC Radio Scotland.

Put to him that the Government is “on the wrong side of history”, as was said by former environment minister Zac Goldsmith, the Scottish Tory leader said: “No, I disagree with Zac Goldsmith on that.

“I think I’m absolutely on the right side of history, protecting 93,000 jobs here in Scotland.

Mr Ross added: “(The Bill) is crucially about ensuring that we have a supply of oil and gas as close to home as possible rather than importing that at higher cost to the environment in terms of CO2 levels and at greater costs.

“I want to see us producing as much oil and gas as close to home as possible, that supports jobs, supports the UK economy, and actually helps us reduce our emissions because we’re not importing oil and gas from elsewhere.”

The Government claims the Bill will increase certainty, boost investor confidence and make the UK more energy-independent.

Mr Ross spoke the day after both First Minister Humza Yousaf and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar made key speeches to kick off what is likely to be an election year.

Asked what his party’s key message will be ahead of that poll, Mr Ross said: “My main message is going to be getting the focus on the priority of people right across Scotland – improving our educational standards, improving the NHS, making sure our economy actually grows to help people and businesses, not work against business.

“We know that Humza Yousaf is actually bringing forward policies that are anti-business, anti-growth.”

Asked about the First Minister’s pledge of “large-scale” investment in competitive industries following Scotland leaving the UK, Mr Ross scoffed.

“Gosh… his independence speech promised miracles that he can’t deliver.

“He can’t get ferries to sail, a vital lifeline for our communities, but he thinks he can walk on water.”

The First Minister’s prospectus for an independent Scotland, Mr Ross said, “is a threat to the Scottish economy”, adding that businesses and local authorities are “up in arms” following the announcement of the budget in December.