Fury from Tories as Ross vows to rebel

SCOTTISH Tory leader Douglas Ross has vowed to rebel when the windfall tax extension is put to a vote – saying he is “deeply disappointed” by the Chancellor’s decision.

Jeremy Hunt provoked the fury of the Scottish Conservatives by announcing the windfall tax on North Sea energy firms would be extended until 2029 to fund a cut in National Insurance.

But Ross has said he will “continue to urge the Chancellor to reconsider”.

Ross said there were “many positive measures” in the Budget, adding: “However, while I accept the Chancellor had some tough decisions to make, I’m deeply disappointed by his decision to extend the windfall tax for a further year.

“The SNP and Labour have abandoned 100,000 Scottish workers by calling for the taps in the North Sea to be turned off now.

“Although the UK Government rightly oppose this reckless policy – and have granted new licences for continued production in the North Sea – the Budget announcement is a step in the wrong direction.

“As such, I will not vote for the separate legislation needed to pass the windfall tax extension and will continue to urge the Chancellor to reconsider.”

Energy minister Andrew Bowie, who represents West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, also expressed his disappointment.

He tweeted: “The extension of the [Energy Profits Levy] is deeply disappointing.

“I will be working with him to resolve this.”

The Chancellor said the Tories planned to axe the tax “should market prices fall to their historic norm for a sustained period of time”.

He added: “But because the increase in energy prices caused by the Ukraine war is expected to last longer, so too will the sector’s windfall profits.

“So I will extend the sunset on the Energy Profits Levy for an additional year to 2029 raising £1.5 billion.”