John Swinney refuses to set out stance on Rosebank

John Swinney has refused to set out whether he supports or opposes consent for Rosebank oil field despite repeated questioning by opposition party leaders.

The first minister instead referred to the “legal responsibilities” around the process, adding that any development must be “compatible” with the UK’s climate ambitions.

The UK Government approved Jackdaw gas field last week, winning plaudits from some quarters as well as criticism from climate campaigners.

But the proposal for the Rosebank field is still under consideration, with government minister’s reportedly split on the issue.

Scottish Labour leader Michael Marra – who has backed approval – was first to raise the matter during FMQs on Thursday afternoon, asking whether Swinney supported it.

Swinney said the decision had to strike the balance “between the carbon emissions of the Rosebank field and the alternative importation of supplies”.

The first minister was further pressed by Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay on the matter, who asked four times whether Swiney supported the development, “yes or no”.

Swinney said: “Any development has got to be considered as to whether it is compatible with our journey to net zero. That is the legal obligation and that is the test and the assessment the United Kingdom Government has got to go through.”

He went on to say that ministers will need to consider whether the importation of oil “will lead to greater carbon complications than the extraction of resources in our own waters”.

Ultimately the decision will be made by UK energy secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh, who is reportedly minded to reject the application due to concern about the climate. However, chancellor John Healey is believed to be pushing for approval.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has previously said he backs a “pragmatic” approach to the North Sea.

Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer, who opposes the development, urged the first minister to come out against it.

He criticised the UK Government’s approval of Jackdaw and went on the criticise the Scottish Government’s backing for a new gas-fired power station at Peterhead.

On Rosebank, he asked: “Is the first minster genuinely suggesting that a monumental oil field could pass a climate test worth the paper it was written on?”

Swinney said his government was “committed” to climate action and the net zero targets.

“For some time to come, we will still be using oil and gas – and the question for us is whether we utilise resources in our own waters or we import those from other jurisdictions. That’s the purpose of the climate compatibility test,” he added.

Licences for both Jackdaw and Rosebank were approved by the last Conservative UK Government but were stopped after climate groups launched a legal challenge in the courts.

Edinburgh’s Court of Session ruled last year that the approvals were unlawful because the environment impact assessments did not take account of all emissions that were be created in the lifetime of the developments.

Assessments have since been revised and submitted to government for consideration.

Labour made a manifesto commitment not to approve any new oil and gas licences but did say it would honour those already awarded.

Ministers said the decision on Jackdaw was made to improve energy security, with has produced to be used in UK homes before the end of the year.

In contrast, oil from Rosebank would be exported to global markets because the UK lacks refinery capacity.