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Swinney Vows Day-One Bid to Devolve Scotland’s Energy Powers

The pledge tests Westminster’s veto over devolving energy powers.

Overview

  • Swinney, who disclosed the plan Monday, said he would submit a Section 30 order on day one to shift energy policy to Holyrood.
  • A Section 30 order is the legal tool Westminster used in 2014 to devolve powers, and any new request needs UK sign-off that reports judge unlikely.
  • Kemi Badenoch said she does not trust him with energy policy and pushed a “get Britain drilling” plan that backs new North Sea licences and ending the windfall tax, VAT and green levies to trim bills by about £200.
  • Scottish Labour’s Anas Sarwar and Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said the SNP lacks a worked-up plan, pointing to a draft strategy left unfinished after proposing a presumption against new oil and gas.
  • Swinney says Scotland is energy rich yet pays high bills because revenues go to the UK Treasury, and he casts control of licensing and revenues as a route to lower costs and jobs.