Simeon Kerr
@simeonkerr.bsky.social
Scotland correspondent, former Gulf correspondent - Financial Times
North Sea executives tell Reeves windfall tax is weighing on investment
Warning comes as Harbour Energy says it will axe 100 of its offshore workforce after chancellor kept headline 78% levy
Warning comes as Harbour Energy says it will axe 100 of its offshore workforce after chancellor kept headline 78% levy
North Sea executives tell Reeves windfall tax is weighing on investment
[FREE TO READ] Warning comes as Harbour Energy says it will axe 100 of its offshore workforce after chancellor kept headline 78% levy
on.ft.com
December 2, 2025 at 9:20 AM
North Sea executives tell Reeves windfall tax is weighing on investment
Warning comes as Harbour Energy says it will axe 100 of its offshore workforce after chancellor kept headline 78% levy
Warning comes as Harbour Energy says it will axe 100 of its offshore workforce after chancellor kept headline 78% levy
How protesters are turning to AI in the fight against rural infrastructure
Campaigners develop tool that can draft planning objection documents far more sophisticated than templates previously used
Campaigners develop tool that can draft planning objection documents far more sophisticated than templates previously used
How protesters are turning to AI in the fight against rural infrastructure
[FREE TO READ] Campaigners develop tool that can draft planning objection documents far more sophisticated than templates previously used
on.ft.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:38 AM
How protesters are turning to AI in the fight against rural infrastructure
Campaigners develop tool that can draft planning objection documents far more sophisticated than templates previously used
Campaigners develop tool that can draft planning objection documents far more sophisticated than templates previously used
North Sea oil and gas groups given go-ahead for new drilling
Fields connected to existing rigs and pipelines will be explored following consultation on future of industry
Fields connected to existing rigs and pipelines will be explored following consultation on future of industry
North Sea oil and gas groups given go-ahead for new drilling
[FREE TO READ] Fields connected to existing rigs and pipelines will be explored following consultation on future of industry
on.ft.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:59 PM
North Sea oil and gas groups given go-ahead for new drilling
Fields connected to existing rigs and pipelines will be explored following consultation on future of industry
Fields connected to existing rigs and pipelines will be explored following consultation on future of industry
Reposted by Simeon Kerr
New: 'Shark's fin' chart reveals the uneven impact of 'fiscal drag', the stealth tax beloved of recent chancellors. Plus use our interactive calculator to see how fresh freezes announced by Rachel Reeves at todays Budget could affect you on.ft.com/3KqOYUL
November 26, 2025 at 8:37 AM
New: 'Shark's fin' chart reveals the uneven impact of 'fiscal drag', the stealth tax beloved of recent chancellors. Plus use our interactive calculator to see how fresh freezes announced by Rachel Reeves at todays Budget could affect you on.ft.com/3KqOYUL
UK ministers accuse Exxon of failing to engage constructively over Scottish plant
US oil group cancelled meetings during talks to save Mossmorran ethylene unit, official correspondence claims
US oil group cancelled meetings during talks to save Mossmorran ethylene unit, official correspondence claims
UK ministers accuse Exxon of failing to engage constructively over Scottish plant
[FREE TO READ] US oil group cancelled meetings during talks to save ethylene unit, official correspondence claims
on.ft.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:59 PM
UK ministers accuse Exxon of failing to engage constructively over Scottish plant
US oil group cancelled meetings during talks to save Mossmorran ethylene unit, official correspondence claims
US oil group cancelled meetings during talks to save Mossmorran ethylene unit, official correspondence claims
ExxonMobil to close Scottish chemicals plant with loss of 200 jobs
US oil major blames difficult market conditions and UK policy environment
US oil major blames difficult market conditions and UK policy environment
ExxonMobil to close Scottish chemicals plant with loss of 200 jobs
[FREE TO READ] US oil major blames difficult market conditions and UK policy environment
on.ft.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:04 PM
ExxonMobil to close Scottish chemicals plant with loss of 200 jobs
US oil major blames difficult market conditions and UK policy environment
US oil major blames difficult market conditions and UK policy environment
Reposted by Simeon Kerr
Wood Group investors back cut-price takeover by UAE’s Sidara
Dubai-based company set to finally win control of ailing Aberdeen engineering business for fraction of its initial offer
Dubai-based company set to finally win control of ailing Aberdeen engineering business for fraction of its initial offer
Wood Group investors back cut-price takeover by UAE’s Sidara
[FREE TO READ] Dubai-based company set to finally win control of ailing engineering business for fraction of its initial offer
on.ft.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Wood Group investors back cut-price takeover by UAE’s Sidara
Dubai-based company set to finally win control of ailing Aberdeen engineering business for fraction of its initial offer
Dubai-based company set to finally win control of ailing Aberdeen engineering business for fraction of its initial offer
Scotland to pay borrowing premium in £1.5bn bond market push
Deputy first minister Kate Forbes says extra cost of ‘kilts’ issuance worth it to build credibility with investors
Deputy first minister Kate Forbes says extra cost of ‘kilts’ issuance worth it to build credibility with investors
Scotland to pay borrowing premium in £1.5bn bond market push
[FREE TO READ] Deputy first minister Kate Forbes says extra cost of ‘kilts’ issuance worth it to build credibility with investors
on.ft.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Scotland to pay borrowing premium in £1.5bn bond market push
Deputy first minister Kate Forbes says extra cost of ‘kilts’ issuance worth it to build credibility with investors
Deputy first minister Kate Forbes says extra cost of ‘kilts’ issuance worth it to build credibility with investors
Reposted by Simeon Kerr
'Kilts' on the horizon...
Scotland given same credit rating as UK ahead of planned inaugural bond
www.ft.com/content/37bb...
by @simeonkerr.bsky.social + me
Scotland given same credit rating as UK ahead of planned inaugural bond
www.ft.com/content/37bb...
by @simeonkerr.bsky.social + me
a man with blue paint on his face is riding a horse with a sword .
ALT: a man with blue paint on his face is riding a horse with a sword .
media.tenor.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:53 PM
'Kilts' on the horizon...
Scotland given same credit rating as UK ahead of planned inaugural bond
www.ft.com/content/37bb...
by @simeonkerr.bsky.social + me
Scotland given same credit rating as UK ahead of planned inaugural bond
www.ft.com/content/37bb...
by @simeonkerr.bsky.social + me
Scotland given same credit rating as UK ahead of debut ‘kilts’ sale
S&P and Moody’s award Edinburgh investment-grade status as it plans first bond issue since late 17th century
S&P and Moody’s award Edinburgh investment-grade status as it plans first bond issue since late 17th century
Scotland given same credit rating as UK ahead of debut ‘kilts’ sale
[FREE TO READ] S&P and Moody’s award Edinburgh investment-grade status as it plans first bond issue since late 17th century
on.ft.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Scotland given same credit rating as UK ahead of debut ‘kilts’ sale
S&P and Moody’s award Edinburgh investment-grade status as it plans first bond issue since late 17th century
S&P and Moody’s award Edinburgh investment-grade status as it plans first bond issue since late 17th century
‘We cannot survive — there is no new land.’
Why Scotland is not building enough homes
Housebuilders want government to ease regulations and do more to help councils deal with acute shortage of planners
Why Scotland is not building enough homes
Housebuilders want government to ease regulations and do more to help councils deal with acute shortage of planners
‘We cannot survive — there is no new land.’ Why Scotland is not building enough homes
[FREE TO READ] Housebuilders want government to ease regulations and do more to help councils deal with acute shortage of planners
on.ft.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:35 AM
‘We cannot survive — there is no new land.’
Why Scotland is not building enough homes
Housebuilders want government to ease regulations and do more to help councils deal with acute shortage of planners
Why Scotland is not building enough homes
Housebuilders want government to ease regulations and do more to help councils deal with acute shortage of planners
Chancellor Rachel Reeves could scrap a windfall profits levy on UK oil and sooner than expected, after Keir Starmer said he wanted to “double down” on North Sea extraction.
Reeves is considering ending epl in Mar 2029 — reversing a decision in last Budget to extend it by a year to Mar 2030
Reeves is considering ending epl in Mar 2029 — reversing a decision in last Budget to extend it by a year to Mar 2030
Rachel Reeves looks at early scrapping of windfall tax on UK oil and gas sector
[FREE TO READ] Chancellor seeks assurances from industry that the move would boost investment in the North Sea
on.ft.com
October 29, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Chancellor Rachel Reeves could scrap a windfall profits levy on UK oil and sooner than expected, after Keir Starmer said he wanted to “double down” on North Sea extraction.
Reeves is considering ending epl in Mar 2029 — reversing a decision in last Budget to extend it by a year to Mar 2030
Reeves is considering ending epl in Mar 2029 — reversing a decision in last Budget to extend it by a year to Mar 2030
Scottish government’s bid to break up giant rural estates ‘too complex’
Critics say SNP’s ‘bureaucratic’ land reform bill will fail in its aim to benefit local communities
Critics say SNP’s ‘bureaucratic’ land reform bill will fail in its aim to benefit local communities
Scottish government’s bid to break up giant rural estates ‘too complex’
[FREE TO READ] Critics say SNP’s ‘bureaucratic’ land reform bill will fail in its aim to benefit local communities
on.ft.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Scottish government’s bid to break up giant rural estates ‘too complex’
Critics say SNP’s ‘bureaucratic’ land reform bill will fail in its aim to benefit local communities
Critics say SNP’s ‘bureaucratic’ land reform bill will fail in its aim to benefit local communities
China’s Ming Yang to invest up to £1.5bn in Scottish turbine factory
Company says the project is subject to ‘final approvals’ from the UK government
Company says the project is subject to ‘final approvals’ from the UK government
China’s Ming Yang to invest up to £1.5bn in Scottish turbine factory
[FREE TO READ] Company says the project is subject to ‘final approvals’ from the UK government
on.ft.com
October 11, 2025 at 7:33 AM
China’s Ming Yang to invest up to £1.5bn in Scottish turbine factory
Company says the project is subject to ‘final approvals’ from the UK government
Company says the project is subject to ‘final approvals’ from the UK government
SNP seeks to exploit unionist rift with fresh independence pitch
John Swinney to set out plans for second referendum at party conference as Reform splits Scottish pro-union vote
John Swinney to set out plans for second referendum at party conference as Reform splits Scottish pro-union vote
SNP seeks to exploit unionist rift with fresh independence pitch
[FREE TO READ] John Swinney to set out plans for second referendum at party conference as Reform splits Scottish pro-union vote
on.ft.com
October 10, 2025 at 9:54 AM
SNP seeks to exploit unionist rift with fresh independence pitch
John Swinney to set out plans for second referendum at party conference as Reform splits Scottish pro-union vote
John Swinney to set out plans for second referendum at party conference as Reform splits Scottish pro-union vote
How Europe’s ‘oil capital’ glory days were ended by the global oil crash
The decline of North Sea industry in Scotland has triggered Aberdeen’s economic downturn
The decline of North Sea industry in Scotland has triggered Aberdeen’s economic downturn
How Europe’s ‘oil capital’ glory days were ended by the global oil crash
[FREE TO READ] The decline of North Sea industry in Scotland has triggered Aberdeen’s economic downturn
on.ft.com
September 29, 2025 at 7:57 AM
How Europe’s ‘oil capital’ glory days were ended by the global oil crash
The decline of North Sea industry in Scotland has triggered Aberdeen’s economic downturn
The decline of North Sea industry in Scotland has triggered Aberdeen’s economic downturn
Highland estates clash with nature campaigners over wild deer culls
Scottish landowners fear over-regulation of herds through nature restoration bill
Scottish landowners fear over-regulation of herds through nature restoration bill
Highland estates clash with nature campaigners over wild deer culls
[FREE TO READ] Scottish landowners fear over-regulation of herds through nature restoration bill
on.ft.com
September 14, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Highland estates clash with nature campaigners over wild deer culls
Scottish landowners fear over-regulation of herds through nature restoration bill
Scottish landowners fear over-regulation of herds through nature restoration bill
Reposted by Simeon Kerr
Calling all students: You could have access to a free FT subscription without even knowing it. Check here: www.ft.com/schoolsarefree
September 8, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Calling all students: You could have access to a free FT subscription without even knowing it. Check here: www.ft.com/schoolsarefree
Oil and gas industry touts ‘tiebacks’ to boost North Sea production
Viability of linking new production to existing hubs via more tiebacks explored as calls grow for extensions to existing licences
Viability of linking new production to existing hubs via more tiebacks explored as calls grow for extensions to existing licences
Oil and gas industry touts ‘tiebacks’ to boost North Sea production
[FREE TO READ] Viability of linking new production to existing hubs explored as calls grow for extensions to existing licences
on.ft.com
September 2, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Oil and gas industry touts ‘tiebacks’ to boost North Sea production
Viability of linking new production to existing hubs via more tiebacks explored as calls grow for extensions to existing licences
Viability of linking new production to existing hubs via more tiebacks explored as calls grow for extensions to existing licences
Reform UK would not deport women and children in first five years, says Farage
Retreat from earlier statements comes as Conservative MSP defects to rightwing populist party
Retreat from earlier statements comes as Conservative MSP defects to rightwing populist party
Reform UK would not deport women and children in first five years, says Farage
[FREE TO READ] Retreat from earlier statements comes as Conservative MSP defects to rightwing populist party
on.ft.com
August 27, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Reform UK would not deport women and children in first five years, says Farage
Retreat from earlier statements comes as Conservative MSP defects to rightwing populist party
Retreat from earlier statements comes as Conservative MSP defects to rightwing populist party
Frankly — Nicola Sturgeon’s memoir of Scottish politics vs personal life
Scotland’s first female leader was one of its most popular politicians, yet her independence policy also made her one of the most polarising
Scotland’s first female leader was one of its most popular politicians, yet her independence policy also made her one of the most polarising
Frankly — Nicola Sturgeon’s memoir of Scottish politics vs personal life
[FREE TO READ] Scotland’s first female leader was one of its most popular politicians, yet her independence policy also made her one of the most polarising
on.ft.com
August 14, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Frankly — Nicola Sturgeon’s memoir of Scottish politics vs personal life
Scotland’s first female leader was one of its most popular politicians, yet her independence policy also made her one of the most polarising
Scotland’s first female leader was one of its most popular politicians, yet her independence policy also made her one of the most polarising
Scottish salmon exports surge on demand from US and China
Overseas sales rise by a third as industry sets its sights on Indian market
Overseas sales rise by a third as industry sets its sights on Indian market
Scottish salmon exports surge on demand from US and China
[FREE TO READ] Overseas sales rise by a third as industry sets its sights on Indian market
on.ft.com
August 14, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Scottish salmon exports surge on demand from US and China
Overseas sales rise by a third as industry sets its sights on Indian market
Overseas sales rise by a third as industry sets its sights on Indian market
Scotland’s net fiscal deficit widens to almost 12% of GDP
Figures reopen debate about country’s economic future ahead of elections for Scottish parliament in 2026
Figures reopen debate about country’s economic future ahead of elections for Scottish parliament in 2026
Scotland’s net fiscal deficit widens to almost 12% of GDP
[FREE TO READ] Figures reopen debate about country’s economic future ahead of elections for Scottish parliament in 2026
on.ft.com
August 13, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Scotland’s net fiscal deficit widens to almost 12% of GDP
Figures reopen debate about country’s economic future ahead of elections for Scottish parliament in 2026
Figures reopen debate about country’s economic future ahead of elections for Scottish parliament in 2026
Gaza in spotlight as Edinburgh Fringe venues cancel shows - on.ft.com/3HtkIXK via @FT
Gaza in spotlight as Edinburgh Fringe venues cancel shows
[FREE TO READ] Reactions to Israel-Hamas war are stretching into world’s largest arts festival and debates over ethical funding
on.ft.com
August 12, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Gaza in spotlight as Edinburgh Fringe venues cancel shows - on.ft.com/3HtkIXK via @FT