Against this backdrop of energy insecurity, the Question Time panel were asked whether they would support moves to increase North Sea oil and gas production.
McAllan, who appeared in place of Swinney, said each new proposal “needs to be considered against climate compatibility, which remains an obligation, and energy security, which is a moving picture”.
She also said she would prefer that decisions on the matter were made in Scotland, criticising the UK government’s energy profits levy, which she said was “starving the industry of the very investment that we need to transition”.
When host Fiona Bruce asked whether she thinks further drilling should take place, McAllan said: “If it can be demonstrated that it’s both climate-compatible and required for energy security, then yes it should”.
Reform UK’s Scotland leader, Malcolm Offord, said it was “daft” that Scotland was importing oil and gas from Norway and said he would create a licence arrangement with energy companies where fuel is only for domestic use.
“We can use our own North Sea gas as a transition fuel to a future,” he said.
