Brexit will strengthen devolution settlement, says David Mundell
Scottish Secretary David Mundell will use an international lecture to claim Brexit will “strengthen” the devolution settlement in Scotland.
Indy Ref
A toxic legacy hangs over Scotland’s Brexit war with Theresa May
There’s always one politician who can inflame passions in Scotland, even if she does it from the grave.
Timing should not be determined by May, says Sturgeon
The timing of a second independence referendum should not be determined by what is “convenient” for Theresa May, Scotland’s First Minister has said.
Second referendum would be ‘against the majority wishes’ says Ruth Davidson
Calls for a second independence referendum would be “against the majority wishes”, the Scottish Conservative leader has said.
Sturgeon: PM more likely to get no Brexit deal than one as good as single market
Theresa May has more chance of getting a bad deal or no deal than one as good as the single market in Brexit negotiations, Scotland’s First Minister has warned.
SNP warns Theresa May not to block second Scottish independence referendum
The SNP has warned Theresa May not to try to block Nicola Sturgeon’s plans for a fresh referendum on Scottish independence before Britain finally leaves the EU.
Economist warns independent Scotland would have to raise taxes or lower spending
An independent Scotland would have to hike taxes or cut spending and is likely to face political pressure to adopt the euro as the price of EU membership, a leading economist has said.
Scottish Secretary: Independence oil figures out by £15.5billion
The Scottish Government’s oil revenue forecast for the first three years of independence is now out by £15.5 billion, according to the Scottish Secretary. Alistair Carmichael said the latest UK Government analysis showed that 100 days after the referendum, an independent Scotland would have been facing the shortfall following a drop in oil prices. He said “serious questions” now needed to be asked about how the SNP administration “got this so badly wrong”.
Scottish Renewables sets out ‘devolution asks’
Scottish Renewables today set out its post-referendum 'devolution asks'.
Scottish Independence: “No” vote and Salmond resignation herald big changes
REVISED 14.00 FURTHER REVISED 17.40 TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF SALMOND RESIGNATION
Scottish Independence: Energy Voice editor’s comment
Growing up in California, politics was something we discussed openly as a family around the dinner table, and I can still clearly recall the overwhelming sense of pride I had when I cast my first ever ballot as a registered voter.
Scottish Independence: Industry reacts – ‘Scotland is open for business’
Scotland has decided and our position as a valuable partner within the United Kingdom continues. But even before the dust settles, it is vitally important that both the Scottish and UK Governments join together to send out an unequivocal message that Scotland is very much open for business.
Scottish Independence: Industry reacts – ‘We face an uncertain future’
As a firm supporter of the 'Yes' campaign I couldn't be more disappointed with the outcome of the referendum.
Scottish Independence: Industry reacts – What now for Scotland and the United Kingdom?
Congratulations to Alistair Darling for holding on to secure a ‘no’ outcome for the better together camp in the face of a fierce battle by Alex Salmond’s troopers.
Scottish Independence: Chevron says it will be ‘business as usual’
The boss of oil giant Chevron has said it will be business as usual tomorrow – regardless of the referendum result.
Scottish Independence: Decision day
Voters in Scotland are deciding whether to seek independence from the UK in a ballot that could spell the end of a three-century-old union that once dominated the world from America to Australia and trigger a new era of self-determination across Europe.
Scottish Independence: Aberdeen oil firm’s concerns over loss of tax breaks for industry
Bosses at an Aberdeen company specialising in offshore safety technology have voiced concern over the potential loss of tax breaks for the industry after a Yes vote.
Scottish Independence: Jeremy Cresswell examines the energy climate
In his latest vlog, Press and Journal Energy editor Jeremy Cresswell examines the influence the oil and gas sector has had on the Scottish Independence debate. Watch the video to hear more.
Scottish independence: Energy experts outline reasons for Yes
There are many reasons why it is a categorical imperative for Scots to vote yes on 18 September.
Scottish Independence: Clyde “oil boom” claim dismissed
An Aberdeen University expert has dismissed claims from a colleague at the institution over the potential for an “oil boom” in the Firth of Clyde.
Scottish Independence: North Sea trade boss weighs in on debate
A North Sea trade union boss has dismissed fears over the impact of Scottish independence on future investment in the oil and gas sector.
Scottish Independence: Opinion – Focus on facts not forecasts
As the referendum draws to a conclusion, every day a new forecast hits the news, complicating the thoughts of those voters who are intent on making a decision based upon reason and not just emotion. For many, but not everyone, the key issue is whether or not Scotland will be economically better off, or worse off, as an independent nation. Clearly, if we are better off the population can expect a better standard of living, and vice versa. So far, leaving the emotional rhetoric to one side, the independence debate has concentrated on the issues of EU membership and the future use of the pound but overall, the analysis of the key issue of Scotland's future financial well being has been long on speculation and short on facts. A key irrefutable fact is that the biggest source of revenue to an independent Scotland will come from our oil and gas resources. Consequently it's no surprise that there are many forecasters seeking to talk up or talk down the billions of barrels of oil reserves that lie in the North Sea. Is it 12 billion or 24 billion? Of course, all of these forecasts are based upon a variety of differing assumptions, the most important of which (oil price) nobody has any control over. But does it matter whether it’s 12 billion or 24 billion? To me, potential reserves is the wrong metric to focus on because irrespective of their size, these reserves are of no value if they are not brought into production and monetised. The important statistic is the amount of production that is extracted on an annual basis and its corresponding value to the economy. In that regard there is no escaping the fact that since 2010 UK oil production has fallen by more than a third, and that according to figures from HM Revenue and Customs, in the last tax year tax revenues from the North Sea fell from £6.1 billion to £4.7 billion. This was attributed to lower production and higher costs. Can these trends be reversed? I don't want to fall into the trap of forecasting, but the facts suggest that irrespective of whether the country separates or not, the UK’s offshore industry is facing considerable headwinds. The North Sea has always been one of the most expensive regions to operate but in recent years it's become even more difficult to bring on new production because service costs have risen significantly, the costs associated with increased regulation are biting, and taxation is high. That is why last year only 14 exploration wells were drilled compared with 44 in 2008 and why only 13 of the 21 new fields slated actually came on-stream. The others were delayed or put on hold because of spiralling costs. These included the multi billion dollar Chevron Rosebank project and the Statoil Bressay heavy oil project. A significant increase in oil prices would help significantly, but oil prices have been range bound at $100-120 a barrel for the last five years, and in fact have declined just below $100 a barrel in the last three months. A significant reduction in taxation of oil revenues would also make a positive difference to investment in the basin, but that would clearly push tax revenues in the wrong direction. It would therefore take an enormous leap of faith to anticipate any meaningful increase in revenues from North Sea oil to finance increased spending in an independent Scotland.
Scottish Independence: Academic says Firth of Clyde could hold “oil boom”
An Aberdeen University expert has argued that the removal of Trident nuclear weapons from an independent Scotland could lead to an new “oil boom” in the Firth of Clyde.
Opinion: Potential on the Clyde
It’s a story of Machiavellian political intrigue with oil companies, Scottish lochs, nuclear submarines and a government at war with the socialist industrial heartlands of its country. Chic Brodie, an SNP back bencher first broke the seemingly preposterous story that, in the mid 1980’s, the Tory government of Margret Thatcher intervened at the highest levels and stopped BP exploring for oil in the Clyde estuary for “national security” issues.
Scottish Independence: Opinion – Nationalise BP? I think not!
Political has-been Jim Sillars’ weekend remarks about nationalising BP should Scotland become independent verge on plain stupidity.