Scottish Greens will “call out the lies of big polluters”, co-leader Gillian Mackay said as she branded plans to develop the Rosebank oil field as “pure climate vandalism”.

Ms Mackay spoke out as demonstrators opposed to drilling the site gathered in London on Saturday.

Plans to develop the North Sea field – which is estimated to contain up to 300 million barrels of oil – have been submitted again by owners Equinor.

However, Ms Mackay told the Scottish Green Party conference in Edinburgh: “We have to be the party that calls out the lies of big polluters.”

Ms Mackay, who was elected co-leader with fellow MSP Ross Greer in August, told her fellow Scottish Greens: “Drilling for new oil and gas in fields like Rosebank will do nothing to lower energy bills or protect our planet.

“It is pure climate vandalism and we have to stop Rosebank.”

Development of the oil field, which lies 80 miles west of Shetland, had been approved by the Conservative government in 2023 but that decision was challenged in the courts in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling which said the emissions created from burning fossil fuels should be considered when granting permission for new drilling sites.

Her comments came as Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, insisted the UK is “one of the most nature depleted countries in the world”.

Addressing protesters in London, Mr Polanski said: “The very least this Government need to do is to stop making things worse.”

Ms Mackay also used her conference speech to hit out at the UK Government over the closure of Scotland’s only oil refinery in Grangemouth.

Hundreds of jobs were lost after owners Petroineos closed the refinery earlier this year, with Ms Mackay, who grew up in the area saying: “I’m sick of governments and corporations using tags like ‘just transition’ as a cheap slogan.

“What happened in Grangemouth is not a just transition.

“Our communities don’t need empty words, words don’t pay the bills, or put food on the table.

“They need real plans to provide real jobs and real opportunities.”

Ms Mackay insisted: “That site could have been saved. Labour promised to save it – they promised £200 million – and the message from the workers is clear: show us the money.”

She said that the Grangemouth plant “could have been nationalised”, adding: “We cannot leave the future of our communities in the hands of billionaires who are all too happy to abandon us when the money dries up.”

With the Scottish Greens having set the target of overtaking Labour in May’s Holyrood ballot, Ms Mackay said her party was “on the verge of a historic election” with the “chance to elect more green voices than ever before”.

She also told how the birth of her first child, Callan, in June meant she had “never felt more committed to building a greener Scotland”.

She joked that she was speaking at Saturday’s conference “in relatively one piece, without too much baby dribble on me” as she said the Green model, with two co-leaders at the helm, had allowed her to take on the challenge.

“In other parties there would have been a whole load of barriers to a new mum being elected to a leadership role,” Ms Mackay said.

“It is only because of our co-leadership model and the support of ordinary members, I have been afforded this opportunity.”

She continued: “The support I have had says something about our party and the values we stand for.

“When I think about the country I want us to be, it is one where we support each other, one where we lift each other up and one where we do things differently.”

New Delhi: The India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is poised to create significant opportunities for India’s seafood export sector, according to the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA). During a two-day interaction with exporters, MPEDA chairman D.V. Swamy urged them to adopt strategies focused on value addition and workforce upskilling to fully leverage the agreement.

The CETA pact, inked in July this year, grants zero-duty access to 99 per cent of tariff lines, enhancing the competitiveness of Indian seafood in the UK market. Key categories such as Vannamei shrimp, frozen squid, lobsters, frozen pomfret, and black tiger shrimp are expected to benefit directly from the duty-free access.

The meetings provided a platform for industry stakeholders to explore the implications of the agreement. Presentations by Anil Kumar P., Joint Director, MPEDA, outlined the salient features of CETA, while Alex Paul Menon, Development Commissioner of the MPEZ-SEZ, highlighted the potential for Marine Aquapark SEZ development in Tamil Nadu.

Stakeholders, including officials from the Department of Commerce, Export Inspection Agency (EIA), and the Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI), alongside over 90 exporters from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha, shared insights on market opportunities and operational strategies.

India exported marine products worth $7.45 billion in 2024–25, with shrimp, fish, and cuttlefish forming the bulk of shipments. Exports to the UK reached 16,082 MT valued at $104.43 million, driven largely by demand for frozen shrimp, which accounted for 77 per cent of the total UK shipments, followed by frozen fish at eight per cent.

Industry experts anticipate that the India-UK CETA could double Indian seafood exports to the UK in the near term. The agreement is expected to catalyse economic growth, employment generation, and innovation while promoting sustainable practices in the sector.

Swamy emphasised that tapping into this opportunity will require coordinated efforts to enhance product quality, scaling up processing capabilities, and training skilled labour to meet the rising demand in global markets. The MPEDA chairman further pointed out that with proactive adaptation and strategic investment, Indian seafood exporters can not only increase their market share in the UK but also establish India as a competitive, high-value supplier in international seafood trade.

New Delhi: As the festive season draws near, gold prices are reaching record highs. For many Indian households, gold is more than just a metal as it carries cultural importance, emotional value, and serves as a financial safety net in uncertain times. With prices climbing, experts suggest that buyers plan their purchases wisely and explore smart strategies to make the most of their investment.

For generations, buying jewellery has been the most common way to own gold. But rising prices and making charges can cut into your actual returns. If you want to enjoy the benefits of gold without worrying about storage or security, there are safer and more flexible options to consider.

5 Smart Ways to Invest in Gold This Festive Season

Looking to invest in gold wisely this festive season? Here are five options that go beyond buying jewellery:

1. Gold Mutual Funds

These funds invest either in actual gold or in companies linked to the gold industry. Professionally managed, they give you easy exposure to the gold market without the need to track prices daily. They are also a great way to diversify your investment portfolio.

2. Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs)

Issued by the government, SGBs offer returns linked to gold prices along with a small fixed interest. Although new issues may sometimes be paused, existing bonds remain popular for their safety and tax benefits at maturity.

3. Gold Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)

Traded on stock exchanges, Gold ETFs track the market price of gold. They allow investors to buy even small amounts, like one gram, without worrying about purity, storage, or theft.

4. Gold Mining Stocks

Buying shares of companies that mine gold gives indirect exposure to gold prices. Returns depend on both gold prices and the company’s performance, making them suitable for investors with some stock market knowledge.

5. Gold Futures and Options

These contracts let investors lock in a future price for buying or selling gold. Best suited for experienced investors, they carry higher risks but can offer significant opportunities if managed carefully.