Decision on Rosebank and Jackdaw fields needed as soon as possible – Badenoch

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has emphasized the urgency of deciding on the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil fields, stating that it is "absolutely essential" to make a swift decision. These fields have been the subject of consultations that have recently concluded, and now ministers are poised to determine their future, which is considered a critical environmental test for Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

During her visit to a farm in East Lothian, Badenoch expressed that the government's "heart's not really in it," suggesting a common sense approach would involve drilling oil and gas within the North Sea to generate tax revenue rather than relying on importing oil and gas from countries with less environmentally friendly practices. She argued that had the decision been made earlier in the summer, gas from Jackdaw could have been supplied to households by Christmas.

Badenoch criticized the Labour government for their stance, claiming they have been "kicking this decision into the long grass" and are failing to create energy at cheaper prices while simultaneously raising taxes and destroying businesses. She also criticized GB Energy, the publicly-owned firm involved in the project, for having only a third of its workforce residing in Scotland, highlighting that Labour claims around 1,000 people could be employed by GB Energy, although only 46 of the 132 current employees live in the UK.

Badenoch dismissed Labour's claims of creating Scottish jobs, stating that it is businesses, not government, that create jobs, and that the government's role is to provide the necessary conditions for job creation. She stated that Labour's attempt to employ the gimmick of a sign on a building to create jobs has failed, indicating their lack of a strategic plan.

The Conservative Party leader also highlighted her party's "five-point economic plan" aimed at benefiting Scotland. A Labour Party spokesperson responded by pointing out that the Conservatives spoke differently while in power, failed to act on plans for nuclear plants, opposed new wind farms, and advocated for continuing reliance on fossil fuels. They accused the Conservatives of lacking plans and expertise, implying that Labour would rectify these issues.