Majority of Scots support renewable energy but also back drilling for North Sea oil |
With less than a week to go until polling day, decision time is looming for Scotland’s voters. But which policy issues will voters be paying most attention to when deciding where to put the X on their ballot papers?
Our Ipsos polling has found that the top issues shaping voters’ decisions are not only devolved matters, such as the NHS and the cost of living, but also certain issues reserved to Westminster, namely immigration and energy policy. As well as assessing parties’ plans for Scotland over the next five years, then, voters are also looking at what stance the parties are taking on issues currently decided outwith Scotland.
Energy is an issue that has shot up the Scottish public’s agenda recently, reflecting growing public concern about energy security, as well as pain at the petrol pump with fuel price rises in the wake of the US/Israel-Iran war.
Most aspects of energy policy are currently reserved to Westminster, although certain powers, including planning for onshore energy and promoting renewables, are devolved to Holyrood. This means while the Scottish Government can block new nuclear development, it cannot intervene on most aspects of energy policy, including the question of new North Sea oil and gas drilling licences.
So what do the public want to see in Scotland’s energy mix? New polling from Ipsos suggests Scots have a pragmatic take on future energy development. Support for renewable energy is highest, with 74% backing more investment in renewables like solar, wind and tidal in Scotland while just 9% oppose this. But there is also support for new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea, with 53% in favour of issuing more........