Oral Answers to Questions

Douglas Lumsden Excerpts

Tuesday 3rd November 2026 Commons Chamber

[John Healey]

I know my hon. Friend welcomes the step I took at the Budget that guarantees that every penny of the pension fund surplus will now go in full to miners. I know the job is not done; I will go on to ensure the full transfer of the guarantors fund. I want a way to resolve this in weeks, not months. That work is under way. It will be done jointly by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Treasury. I will ensure that my hon. Friend and other Members across this House from mining communities like mine are fully updated on that work.

[Douglas Lumsden (Aberdeen South) (Con)]

T7. The OBR’s “Economic and fiscal outlook” published alongside the Budget last week included forecasted revenues from Rosebank. Yet the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero maintain that no decision has been taken on Rosebank. Will the Chancellor therefore acknowledge that if Rosebank is not approved, it will blow a huge hole in his Budget?

[Dan Tomlinson]

As I said at the Dispatch Box just a few minutes ago, it was the previous Government that totally fluffed up this decision, and these revenues were in the forecast since 2019. If the Conservatives are looking for a political party that is not able to take the right decisions to protect the future of our oil and gas industry, they should look in the mirror—it is them.