Jackdaw Gasfield

Judith Cummins Excerpts

Wednesday 21st October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Douglas Lumsden (Aberdeen South) (Con)]

Like Mr Speaker, I was angry and frustrated to find that the Secretary of State was not making the statement. I first learned that the Secretary of State was in my constituency when I saw her on TV this morning; that is being completely disrespectful to another Member.

The decision on Jackdaw is a victory for common sense. It is also a victory for the voters of Aberdeen South, who sent a clear message to this Labour Government in what was the most important by-election this year. Will this decision streamline the process for other North sea developments? We need a pipeline of projects coming through to protect jobs and to keep the lights on.

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Judith Cummins)]

Order. Before I bring in the Minister, may I respond to the hon. Member? Mr Speaker has been very clear on numerous occasions that the rules on courtesy to Members apply equally to all, across the House. If a Secretary of State is visiting a Member’s constituency, they must inform the Member beforehand.

--- Later in debate ---

[Michael Shanks]

Let me say to my hon. Friend, as I have said to him repeatedly, we regret the process that was underway when we came into government and the lack of planning for the workforce in his constituency. Contrary to what he says, we have in fact invested a significant amount of money in supporting that workforce to find alternative employment, and we are continuing to spend money on developing the projects that will take advantage of the £200 million from the National Wealth Fund. Unfortunately, I cannot magic those projects up out of thin air, so we are doing everything we possibly can to support them. We have set up Great British Energy as a publicly owned energy company. It is already investing in supply chains, in supporting the North sea transition, and in investing and taking a stake in the projects that we are supporting across the energy space and that will bring jobs to his constituency and across the country. I hope he will get behind some of the initiatives that the Government are driving forward.

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Judith Cummins)]

I remind Members to think of each other and speed up their questions, so that we can get in as many people as possible.

[Lee Anderson (Ashfield) (Reform)]

Time after time, the previous Energy Secretary stood in this House and told us that drilling in the North sea would not bring down domestic prices. Just today, the Prime Minister has stood at that Dispatch Box and said that prices will come down as a result of drilling in the North sea. Who is right: the former Energy Secretary or the Prime Minister? [Hon. Members: “No, he didn’t.] Yes, he did.