Exclusive:Scottish Labour MPs say Rosebank and Jackdaw should go ahead

Graeme Downie, Richard Baker, Kenny Stevenson, Torcuil Crichton and Lillian Jones have all said that the projects should be given the go ahead.

It comes after Commons Energy Security and Net Zero Committee chair Bill Esterson said that the UK Government needed a “change in approach”.

The Scottish Labour MPs are at odds with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband - widely predicted to be the next chancellor - who is to make a decision on whether the projects are greenlit.

Rosebank is 80 miles to the west of Shetland. It contains around 300 million barrels of oil, making it the UK's last major undeveloped oil site.

Jackdaw is a large offshore gas field 150 miles east of Aberdeen.

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The UK Government has delayed giving the two projects the go-ahead.

The permits for both fields were voided last year after the Court of Session said the original decision to give them the go ahead was unlawful.

Dunfermline and Dollar MP Graeme Downie, who is a member of the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee, said: “A changing world means pragmatism on oil and gas.

“For a low carbon future, we must support current jobs and skills in engineering and other areas, focusing on people.

“We should start with Jackdaw, Rosebank and the Oil and Gas Price Mechanism.”

Glenrothes MP Richard Baker said: “Moving forward with Rosebank and Jackdaw would be in line with our manifesto commitments.

“We have been clear as a government that oil and gas will be a part of our energy mix for decades to come as part of a transition to renewables.

“For the renewables skills of the future we need to recruit into the oil and gas sector, and moving forward with these projects would support that aim.”

Airdrie and Shotts MP Kenny Stevenson said: “As a former electrical engineer who repaired machines at sub-contracting firms across Scotland who were part of the large supply chain to the oil and gas industry, I recognise the importance of the sector.

“It has energy security aspects for the country and with the Scottish Government failing to attract renewables manufacturers it has major importance for technical skills and jobs for the future.

“Therefore I hope that there will be positive news about the licences for Jackdaw and Rosebank.”

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Western Isles MP Torcuil Crichton said: “There are only small violins for the multinationals in the North Sea but complete understanding of the uncertainty facing the workforce who have earned energy security for this country for five decades.

“For them and their families this is not just about a job, it is about who they are, it is a question of identity.

“They need a bridge into the renewable future, that bridge is the North Sea, and they need a symbol that Labour is with them for the future and that symbol is a favourable decision on Jackdaw and Rosebank.”

Kilmarnock and Loudon MP Lillian Jones said: “At a time of global volatility and ongoing risks to energy supplies through key routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, Rosebank and Jackdaw could help strengthen our energy security and reduce reliance on imports whilst we are on this journey to net zero and the north sea oil and gas workforce that has powered our economy for decades must be at the heart of the energy transition, not left behind by it.”

It comes as 2,000 people from businesses, charities, politicians and the local community backed a campaign for Rosebank and Jackdaw to go ahead.

They all signed an Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce letter which supports production in the North Sea oil and gas fields.

Russell Borthwick, Chief Executive of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: “2,000 people putting their names to this campaign sends a clear message to the UK Government: Jackdaw and Rosebank matter.

“These projects represent real jobs, real businesses and real families across the north-east of Scotland and the wider UK supply chain.”

A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: “Our priority is to deliver a fair, orderly and prosperous transition in the North Sea in line with our climate and legal obligations, which drives our clean energy future of energy security, lower bills, and good long-term jobs.”