Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Renewables Sector: Employment

Wednesday 10 June 2026 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Gregory Stafford asked about discussions with Cabinet colleagues on employment levels in Scotland's renewables sector.
  • The CBI reported that the UK's green economy has created over 1 million jobs, including 10.2 billion and more than 105,000 jobs in Scotland.
  • Stafford highlighted the loss of over 1,000 jobs per month in the oil and gas industry and noted concerns about skilled workers leaving the country.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gregory Stafford Con Farnham and Bordon
Employment Climate Scotland
Context

There is concern over employment levels in the renewable energy sector, particularly in Scotland.

Question

What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on levels of employment in the renewables sector in Scotland. Last week, the CBI revealed that the UK's green economy has created more than 1 million jobs. In Scotland, the industry generated £10.2 billion and supported more than 105,000 jobs.

Answer from Douglas Alexander

Producing the clean energy we need is not only right for our energy security and our climate; it is the right thing to do for jobs and investment. Last week, the CBI revealed that the UK's green economy has created more than 1 million jobs. In Scotland, the industry generated £10.2 billion and supported more than 105,000 jobs, predominantly benefiting local small and medium-sized enterprises and communities all around Scotland.

Answered
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Q2 Gregory Stafford Con Farnham and Bordon
Economy Climate Energy
Context

Concern over job losses in the oil and gas industry, with skilled workers leaving the country due to lack of green jobs opportunities.

Question

We are losing over 1,000 jobs a month in our oil and gas industry, and despite what the Secretary of State has just said, we are not seeing a similar uptick in green jobs. Skilled workers are losing their jobs in oil and gas, and are actually leaving the country. The Government's actions are making the United Kingdom poorer and less secure, and we are waving goodbye to highly skilled jobs. How can the Secretary of State honestly tell this House that there is a transition going on?

Answer from Douglas Alexander

Look at the work being done, and the investment being made, by Iberdrola and ScottishPower. The hon. Gentleman shakes his head, but that is real investment delivering real jobs. If he would like to comment further on this issue, perhaps he would like to apologise for the abject absence of a plan from the previous Conservative Government on the North sea, which explains the fact that they lost 70,000 jobs on their watch.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about the transition process and job loss situation in oil and gas industry is partially addressed but criticised the previous government instead of providing a direct answer.

How: Criticising The Previous Government

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