Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Energy Security: North Sea Gas and Oil

Wednesday 22 October 2025 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister of State acknowledged the role of North Sea oil and gas in energy security but emphasized the need for a managed transition.
  • Torcuil Crichton criticized the previous Conservative Government for not managing the North Sea industry effectively, resulting in job losses.
  • The Secretary of State agreed with Labour's assessment and highlighted the current Government's investment in a transition fund for oil and gas workers.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ben Spencer Con Runnymede and Weybridge
Energy
Context

The Government's energy policy is unsustainable, with reports that the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is considering authorising tiebacks to access new oil and gas wells using existing infrastructure in the North Sea.

Question

Will the Secretary of State acknowledge that if we want to increase energy security and reduce energy prices for households and businesses, we must expand the use of the energy resources available to us, including North Sea oil and gas?

Answer from Douglas Alexander (Secretary of State for Scotland)

Oil and gas from the North Sea will remain part of our energy system for decades to come, but there is a transition that needs to be managed. The previous Government failed to manage it effectively, leading to tens of thousands of jobs going in the North Sea.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not directly address whether expanding the use of North Sea oil and gas is necessary for energy security and reducing energy prices.

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Q2 Torcuil Crichton Lab Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Employment Energy Business & Trade
Context

The previous Conservative Government is criticised for the loss of tens of thousands of jobs in the North Sea due to a lack of investment. The current government, along with the Scottish Government, invested £18 million in a transition fund to help oil and gas workers move into energy jobs.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree that the Conservatives have got a cheek? Some 77,000 jobs drifted out of the North sea under their Government, and they did not lift a finger. This Government, along with the Scottish Government, invested £18 million in a transition fund to help oil and gas workers move into energy jobs.

Answer from Douglas Alexander (Secretary of State for Scotland)

I find myself in agreement with my hon. Friend from the Western Isles. The last Conservative Government did not believe in industrial strategy—it is as basic as that. It is not just a difference of policy; it is a difference of philosophy.

Answered
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Q3 Andrew Bowie Con West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
Scotland Energy
Context

The Scottish Government is criticised for banning the drilling and exploration of oil and gas in British waters, while importing more gas from Norway.

Question

The Secretary of State for Energy is not the messiah. Week after week, I come to this Chamber to ask Energy Ministers and Scotland Office Ministers why they are content to sacrifice one of this country’s greatest national assets and allow highly skilled workers to go on the scrap heap or go overseas. As Scotland’s man at the Cabinet table, the Secretary of State knows that his job is to speak up for those people who are losing their jobs today, not to defend the Secretary of State for Energy.

Answer from Douglas Alexander (Secretary of State for Scotland)

I gently remind the shadow Secretary of State that there is a difference between abuse and argument. Of course I am happy to be Scotland’s voice at the Cabinet table. That is why only next week I will be meeting a range of energy companies based in Aberdeen and listening directly to them.

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not address why drilling and exploration bans are allowed while importing gas from Norway.

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