The SNP has voted to abolish the Scotland Office, arguing that the millions of pounds spent running the UK Government department could instead be used to help Scottish households struggling with energy bills.
Delegates backed the proposal at the party’s annual conference in Aberdeen on Thursday 15 October, placing renewed pressure on Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander and reopening the debate over the department’s future.
The Scotland Office represents the UK Government’s interests in Scotland and supports the Secretary of State in carrying out responsibilities connected with the Union and relations between Westminster and Holyrood.
The SNP believes those functions are unnecessary and wants the department abolished, with its resources redirected towards priorities affecting Scottish communities.
The party says the Scotland Office has a budget exceeding £13 million and argues that removing the department could release money to support measures aimed at reducing household energy costs.
However, abolishing the department would require action by the UK Government, and the full budget would not necessarily become available as savings because some responsibilities and associated costs would have to be transferred elsewhere.
The conference vote therefore establishes the SNP’s political position rather than bringing about any immediate change to the department or its funding.
The decision comes as the party increases its criticism of Labour’s handling of energy prices, the cost of living and the future of Scotland’s energy industry.
SNP MSP George Adam welcomed the vote and directed his criticism towards Douglas Alexander, who has served as Scottish Secretary since September 2025.
He said:
“Douglas Alexander and the Scotland Office do the square root of nothing to stand up for Scotland, the message is clear, the P45 is in the post.
“When the UK Labour Government came for pensioners’ winter heating support, let Grangemouth close or hammered Scotland’s energy industry, Douglas Alexander sat on his hands and let it happen.”
Adam argues that the department’s continued existence represents an unnecessary expense at a time when families are facing pressure from household bills.
He also believes the Scotland Office has failed to defend Scottish interests when major decisions affecting energy, industry and financial support have been made at Westminster.
The SNP has presented the proposal as part of its wider independence agenda, maintaining that Scotland would be better served by institutions accountable directly to its own government.
Adam added:
“The age of Douglas Alexander and his ilk spending their days hanging around Whitehall defending the Westminster system they suckle from will soon cease to be.
“Through the fresh start of independence Scotland can be free for good of Westminster and the pointless Scotland Office for good.”
The Scotland Office’s supporters regard the department as an important link between the UK Government and Scotland, particularly on matters that remain reserved to Westminster.
Its abolition would therefore involve wider constitutional questions beyond the potential financial savings.
For the SNP, however, the vote offers another opportunity to challenge the purpose and cost of Westminster institutions operating in Scotland.
Whether the proposal progresses beyond a conference resolution will depend on political decisions at UK level, where responsibility for the Scotland Office remains.
