06/03/2014

Shell Wants Scotland In The UK

Ben van Beurden, the Chief Executive of the oil company Shell has said he would like Scotland to remain part of the UK.

In a meeting in London he said he valued the "continuity and stability: of the UK and affirmed that the company had studied the possibilities and reached the conclusion, which was supported in the UK and UE.

Van Beurden expressed his view the same day that Lloyds Banking Group and Barclays cited the Scottish Independence referendum as a potential risk to their businesses.

A spokeswoman for the Scottish government said: "The Scottish government agree with Shell that the real risk facing the oil and gas sector is the proposed in-out referendum on EU membership, which risks taking Scotland out of Europe with all the consequences for jobs, investment and prosperity that would entail."

He added: "We would be happy to meet with Shell to discuss the future of the oil and gas industry in an independent Scotland."

(CVS/CD)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

06 March 2013
Scottish Debt 'Less Than UK level'
Scotland continues to be in a relatively stronger budget position than the UK as a whole to the value of £824 per person or £4.4 billion as a nation, according to National Statistics published today.
23 April 2015
Woman's Body Found On Street In Edinburgh
An investigation has been launched following the discovery of a woman's body on Calton Hill in Edinburgh. It is understood that the body was found on a footpath at about 04:30 on Thursday morning. The area has been sealed to allow for a forensic examination to be carried out.
26 March 2015
15-Year-Old Arrested Over Secondary School Stabbing
Police have arrested a 15-year-old boy in connection with the stabbing of two girls outside a secondary school in Glasgow. Police Scotland said the two girls, aged 13 and 15, were attacked outside a school in the Barmulloch area on 19 March.
06 January 2015
Rape Investigation Against MP Mark Pritchard Dropped
An investigation into rape allegations against Conservative MP Mark Pritchard have been dropped, Scotland Yard has confirmed. Mr Pritchard, MP for The Wrekin in Shropshire, was arrested on 2 December, however he was released on police bail. He has now been informed no further action will be taken.
13 November 2014
New Scotland Yard Sold
The headquarters of the Metropolitan Police has been sold, London's deputy mayor for police and crime has confirmed. The proceeds from the sale of New Scotland Yard (NSY) are to be reinvested in frontline policing, Stephen Greenhalgh has said. NSY has been the headquarters of the Met since 1967 but has been sold as part of cost-cutting measures.