SNP leader Humza Yousaf is set to insist his party will strongly oppose Labour’s controversial plans to increase the windfall tax on oil and gas firms.
During a visit to Aberdeen today, the first minister is expected to warn workers in the north-east will “pay the price” of Sir Keir Starmer’s energy strategy.
The Labour leader received a major backlash after announcing he wanted to raise the levy on fossil fuels firms from 75% of excess profits to 78%, also extending it to 2029.
But in his speech at the Scottish Labour conference in Glasgow, he insisted that North Sea pipelines would see their use “continue for decades” in a bid to calm industry fears.
Senior SNP figures have previously been strongly supportive of windfall taxes, and have criticised proposals for new oil fields being approved by the Tories.
However, Mr Yousaf and his party’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn have come out strongly against Labour’s latest energy policies.
The first minister is expected to say: “You cannot deliver a just transition from oil and gas – for the people and businesses that rely on it – if you squeeze the life out of the sector overnight
“The SNP will oppose Labour’s aggressive tax plans for the sector.
“A policy designed solely to plug the massive financial hole in plans to build new nuclear power plants in England.
“Once again the workers of the north-east are being asked to pay the price because of Westminster’s economic and energy mismanagement.
“As ever, when Westminster parties need to find cash – they look to Scotland.”
Sir Keir’s divisive windfall tax proposals came shortly after Labour abandoned a separate pledge to invest £28 billion per year on green energy projects.
The Labour leader insists an increased levy on multinational companies reaping in huge profits can bring in an extra £10 billion to the treasury.
Scottish party chief Anas Sarwar justified the policy by pointing to those huge gains being made by energy giants during the cost-of-living crisis.
But analysis warned it could cost the economy up to £20 billion by deterring investment.
On Saturday, Mr Yousaf kicked off his general election campaign with a whistlestop tour of Moray, taking in Forres and Lossiemouth.
The SNP has set its sights on the Moray seat of Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross as he pushes to make Scotland “Tory free” after the next election.
Mr Ross has held the seat since 2017, but plans to stand down at the next election to focus on Holyrood.
Ahead of his arrival, the first minister said it was time to “rid Scotland of Tory MPs”.
During his visit he met residents at the beach in Lossiemouth, posing on the new East Beach bridge and for photographs with fans.
But he was also sharing the SNP message alongside the Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey candidate – former Moray Council leader Graham Leadbitter.
The SNP leader later met with Jamie DiSotto of AES Solar in Forres to hear about the firm’s plans to expand, having recently acquired a new site in the town.
They last week scooped the PV project of the year title at the National Energy Efficiency Awards for their work installing solar panels at Edinburgh Castle.
Mr Yousaf then headed to Fraserburgh with Aberdeenshire North and Moray East candidate, Seamus Logan.
“We have the chance to make Scotland Tory free at the general election and the only way to do that is by voting SNP,” Mr Yousaf said.
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