Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to balance the development of offshore renewable energy projects with the sustainability of Scotland’s fishing industry.

The UK and Scottish Governments share the ambition for Scotland to lead and fully benefit from the clean energy transition. But this change needs to be managed responsibly and in dialogue with a range of industries. Marine planning and fisheries are devolved matters and it is therefore for the Scottish Government to determine the optimal balance between the two, in line with their broader priorities.

My Department remains in contact with Scotland’s fishing industry and the Scottish Government on a range of issues, as we manage the transition to net zero.