MOST people in Scotland reject Donald Trump’s call for more North Sea oil and gas drilling, according to a new poll.

A survey commissioned by think tank Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) found just 35 per cent favoured more extraction, compared to 65 per cent believing the US president’s calls should be ignored for a concentration on renewables.

On energy security, the poll of 1,007 adults carried out by More in Common, also found half backed a focus on more domestic renewable energy generation over oil and gas while just 29 per cent backed the opposite.

ECIU senior associate Laura Anderson said: “Scots clearly don’t agree with President Trump on Scotland’s energy policy, seeing renewables as the way forwards.

“Increasing oil and gas production isn’t an option for the North Sea, a basin that has been declining for two decades with official figures showing more drilling meaning only a slightly slower decline.

“This inevitably means fewer jobs and unless renewables are ramped up fast, the future of communities that have delivered oil and gas for many years is at risk.

“More renewables can help to reduce gas dependence and stabilise prices for homes and industry.”

Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Increased generation of renewable energy is critical to the energy security of the country, and has the potential to reduce our reliance of fossil fuels and the price volatility they come with.”

But calling for a “parallel track approach to the energy transition,” she added: “We also remain clear in our support for a just transition for Scotland’s valued oil and gas sector, which recognises both the important contribution the North Sea continues to make to the energy sector.”