Andy Burnham has promised a decision on Rosebank and Jackdaw 'shortly', as a new poll has revealed Scots' overwhelming support for the developments.
Prime Minister Burnham has been deliberating over granting approval for the Rosebank oil field off Shetland and the Jackdaw gas field east of Aberdeen.
Pressed by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch during Prime Minister's Questions over why he was still 'faffing about' over the approvals, Burnham responded: 'She asked me what I'm waiting for – I've had to wait for the government process, which was struck down by the courts under the Conservative government, to be fixed because they messed it up, and we inherited that situation.
'So I will take a pragmatic approach on oil and gas, we will set out our decisions shortly.'
It comes as a new poll published on the first day of the SNP Conference in Aberdeen suggests revealed strong backing for both fields among Scots.
The Scotland-wide survey, commissioned by the Forum for Research on Energy (FoRE), revealed 62% of Scots believe the UK Government should approve Jackdaw, versus just 18% who say they should not consent the project, while 64% are in favour of approval of Rosebank, while just 16% are opposed.
The data also suggested almost two thirds of the Scottish public think the Scottish Government should add its weight in favour of the projects getting the go ahead, while 55% say they should be more supportive of continued North Sea oil and gas production in general.
By a factor of 8 to 1, people are keen to see Scotland become a world leader in floating offshore wind and to prioritise the manufacturing of equipment and components to enable that technology.
Evidence also points to very clear support for new transmission infrastructure – including new pylons and substations – to unlock the opportunity of renewables, and a balance towards faster approval processes to deliver these major projects.
Reflecting on the findings, Richard Thomson, the former MP for Gordon, who will chair the FoRE launch event at SNP Conference said: 'With over 70% of Scotland's energy needs currently being met by oil and gas, it's clear that the only route to energy transition is one which invests in changing demand away from fossil fuels, rather than in forcing the industry into a premature decline.
'This polling shows clearly that voters across Scotland - and particularly SNP voters - support making full use of our natural energy resources including oil and gas on the route to net zero.
'As the SNP gathers in Europe's energy capital, conference delegates have a gilt-edged opportunity to back an approach which does exactly that - by ending any suggestion of a 'presumption against' new licencing, and by backing a pragmatic, twin-track approach which supports expanding renewables, as well as making full use of our domestic oil and gas for so long as it is needed.
'The choice isn't between oil and gas, or renewables. Right now, we need both - it's the only way to meet our energy needs and protect our energy jobs, while we build the renewables-based energy system that our future security and prosperity will depend on.'
Source: Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce
