Oral Answers to Questions

Jerome Mayhew Excerpts

Wednesday 28th October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Aphra Brandreth (Chester South and Eddisbury) (Con)]

11. What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on levels of employment in the oil and gas sector in Scotland.

[Jerome Mayhew (Broadland and Fakenham) (Con)]

14. What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on levels of employment in the oil and gas sector in Scotland.

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Douglas Alexander)]

As shown by our decision last week to approve the Jackdaw gasfield, the United Kingdom Government are committed to a pragmatic approach to the North sea. We recognise that domestic oil and gas will continue to play an important part in our energy mix for decades to come.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Alexander]

There is a certain irony in the Conservative party lecturing the Government on deindustrialisation in Scotland. In reality, it left an energy system in 2024 that was less secure, more exposed to international shocks, and slower to invest. The hon. Lady’s question might have more credibility had we not agreed Jackdaw just last week.

[Jerome Mayhew]

The Government spent two and a half years virtue signalling about the North sea. They said there was no future for oil and gas and had a ban on licences, as well as increasing taxation. The result has been 25,000 job losses—1,000 every month and counting—not because of an external shock, but because of a crisis 100% caused by Government policy. When will this Government leave their student politics behind, back British business and get us drilling again?

[Mr Alexander]

The Conservative party’s policy towards the North sea was a study in incompetence. The reason we took the decision on Jackdaw last week was that the Conservative Government so messed up the process that we ended up in court.