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Dec 9, 2025
Scotland's energy industry facing 'existential threat', Swinney warns PM
Lynn News
Scotland's energy industry is facing an "existential threat", the First Minister has claimed as he called for UK Government support.
John Swinney and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer met ahead of a summit of the British-Irish Council in Wales.
The meeting came after job losses announced last month at an ethylene plant in Mossmorran, Fife, owned by oil giant ExxonMobil risking more than 400 jobs and a further 100 set to be cut at Harbour Energy in Scotland's north-east.
Scotland still suffers the scars of deindustrialisation from previous UK governments and unless there is action now from UK ministers, we run the risk of repeating the mistakes of the past
Both owners have cited UK Government policy as one of the reasons behind the decisions.
Ahead of the meeting, the First Minister said Scotland is an "afterthought" to Westminster, pushing for independence and stressing the "urgent necessity" for the UK Government to step in.
Following the meeting, Mr Swinney said: "I was clear with the Prime Minister - act now or run the risk of delivering irreversible deindustrialisation and decline in Scotland's economy.
"The energy industry is facing an existential threat unless it gets the support it needs from the UK Government - including removing the energy profits levy - to help ensure there is a just transition from oil and gas to renewables that protects skills and delivers a pipeline of future investment.
"We have a moral obligation to deliver on our climate commitments but must ensure we do not leave communities behind.
"Scotland still suffers the scars of deindustrialisation from previous UK governments and unless there is action now from UK ministers, we run the risk of repeating the mistakes of the past."
During the meeting, he raised the impact of the UK Budget on key economic infrastructure including Grangemouth, Mossmorran and Acorn, and asked for an update on UK-US trade talks.
Mr Swinney said: "I also pressed the Prime Minister for an update on the UK-U
