Flynn defends oil abstention, confirms enterprise review – Daily Business

Stephen Flynn with Caroline Lamont and Lucinda Bruce-Gardyne of the Edinburgh Food & Drink Academy (pic: DB Media Services)

Economy Secretary Stephen Flynn has defended his decision to abstain in a Westminster motion calling for more oil & gas drilling in the North Sea.

He also confirmed that the enterprise network, comprising three large agencies and a range of support organisations, will be reviewed.

Mr Flynn has frequently called for more support for the oil and gas industry, prompting questions around his decision not to support a Conservative party motion just before the Scottish elections demanding more drilling.

The new Holyrood minister, who was the SNP’s Westminster leader at the time, today said he was opposed to plans to get rid of the energy profits levy when he wanted to retain the option for the replacement mechanism.

Scrapping the levy in its entirety “would leave the Exchequer with less revenue to support people in the cost of living crisis,” he explained.

“What the industry is asking is for the OGPM [Oil and Gas Price Mechanism] to be implemented which would provide certainty for investment. This is not what the motion said and so I didn’t vote for it.”

Speaking to Daily Business in one of his first public engagements, Mr Flynn said there would be a review of the enterprise network amid concerns that it could be targeted in the forthcoming spending cuts.

“In relation to the enterprise agencies, when it comes to public sector reform we’re going to be looking right across the board in terms of how we intend to operate.

“We are doing that on the basis of making sure we have public services and agencies working to the benefit of Scotland,” he said.

Stephen Flynn: offering more support to smaller businesses (pic: DB Media Services)

Asked if this meant the enterprise agencies were under review, he said: “They have been undertaking absolutely fantastic work but what we are seeking to do is have a holistic view of the cost of the public sector.”

Visiting the Edinburgh Food & Drink Academy, formerly the Edinburgh Cook School, he said he was “excited” by his first ministerial role and the opportunity to support entrepreneurs. He announced an annual conference for the games sector and a pilot matching film and TV producers with business angels.

They are among 44 projects that will share £1.75 million through the Scottish Government’s Ecosystem Fund to help entrepreneurs and businesses emerge and grow.

It brings together three existing funds – together with a new, community-focused initiative – creating a simpler application process and faster decision-making on successful projects.

The Food & Drink Academy has been awarded nearly £40,000 to deliver a series of events for business founders from the food & drink sector to pitch products to buyers and investors. 

Mr Flynn said: “It is an economic imperative that Scotland’s business founders receive the right help to establish, grow and flourish – and the Scottish Government is committed to backing them at every stage of their business journey.”

Executive chair of the academy Lucinda Bruce-Gardyne said: “Securing this grant from the Scottish Government will allow us to further our goal of supporting Scotland’s food and drink entrepreneurs, connecting them with investors, producers and industry experts, and enabling collaboration across the industry.”

Mr Flynn added his feeling of “betrayal” and “anger” over former SNP CEO Peter Murrell ‘s crimes, but also said he did not see the need for another investigation.

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