Moray MP confirms support for oil and gas Bill
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Moray's MP is backing new legislation that aims to encourage more licence applications to extract oil and gas from beneath the North Sea.
The Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill is returning to the House of Commons on Monday.
Initially it was meant to be debated earlier this month but was delayed due to the conflict in Gaza as well as the Post Office scandal.
Douglas Ross intends to speak in favour of the bill which seeks to introduce annual rounds for new oil and gas licences.
He said: "The oil and gas industry in the North Sea plays such a crucial role in supporting thousands of jobs including many here in Moray. While we all want to achieve net zero targets, that won’t be achieved by relying on costly imports.
"That is why it is great to see the UK Government backing the industry and highly-skilled workers."
Mr Ross was speaking after having held a meeting with the UK Government Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero.
He continued: "I’m grateful to Graham Stuart for taking the time to meet with me to discuss this important new bill ahead of it being debated in the House of Commons.
"It allowed me to hear how an annual round of new oil and gas licences will help protect our energy security.
"It will also ensure our oil and gas industry is at the heart of our plans to hit net zero in the coming years.
"I support the UK Government’s plans and hope to get the chance to say so in parliament on Monday."
If passed, the new legislation would require the North Sea Transition Authority to carry out annual licensing rounds for new oil and gas developments, as opposed to the current ad hoc process.
The UK government claims this would increase certainty and boost investor confidence.
