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North Sea Oil and Gas Workers: Transitional Support
23 April 2025
Lead MP
Kirsty Blackman
Aberdeen North
SNP
Responding Minister
Michael Shanks
Tags
EconomyEmploymentClimate
Word Count: 13670
Other Contributors: 12
At a Glance
Kirsty Blackman raised concerns about north sea oil and gas workers: transitional support in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Government needs to ensure that the transition is just and managed properly by providing transitional support for workers moving into renewables sectors. There is a need for job creation in offshore wind industries to match the decline in oil and gas jobs.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Direct employment in oil and gas in Aberdeen has declined by nearly one-third since 2015, leading to increased poverty. The energy transition survey shows political uncertainty as the top worry for companies, with concerns over final investment decisions being pushed back due to grid connection issues and changes to taxes.
Andrew Bowie
Con
Aberdeen East and North Kincardine
Highlights the importance of language used when discussing the North sea oil and gas industry, suggesting that a positive outlook is necessary to attract investment for new technologies. Highlights that a profitable oil and gas industry is necessary for investment in new technologies and workforce development for renewables. Complimented the Minister’s commitment to the industry and expressed interest in Treasury consultation on post-EPL fiscal framework, asking for speed-up of the process.
Barry Gardiner
Lab
Lewisham West and Penge
Asked whether Kirsty Blackman accepted that the basic rate of tax applied by the previous Government was the lowest globally, highlighting concerns about singling out the oil and gas industry for a windfall tax. Argues that the North sea transition deal is not fit for purpose, calls for radical shift with proper funding and support for renewable manufacturing in UK ports. Questions whether negative language about the declining basin affects investors' perception. The trade unions have called for £335 million annually to invest in skills and training, ensuring workers are not unpaid during their training days.
Brian Leishman
Lab
Alloa and Grangemouth
It is an honour to serve under chairmanship for this vital debate on energy transition and job security in offshore oil and gas, thanking Kirsty Blackman for securing it.
Carla Denyer
Green
Bristol Central
Welcomes debate on transitional support for oil and gas workers, highlighting missed opportunities for British North sea ports to move into the renewable energy industry. Emphasises that new oil and gas fields are not the solution for providing long-term security for North sea workers and suggests investing in clean energy supply chains as a better alternative.
Harriet Cross
Con
Gordon and Buchan
The MP highlights the critical importance of managing a just transition in the oil and gas sector, emphasizing that it matters now with job losses and investment drying up. She stresses that north-east Scotland’s energy capability is crucial for the UK's transition to renewables and warns against policies that penalize domestic oil and gas production.
Jamie Stone
LD
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Noted the importance of fabrication skills in his constituency and expressed worry over the ageing workforce, suggesting that young people may be deterred from entering engineering due to past redundancies. Discussed the historical impact of North Sea oil on employment opportunities in remote areas, highlighting the current challenges faced by communities due to changes in the industry.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Expresses support for the need to support workers from the North sea oil and gas industry, highlighting that the sector employs people not just along the east and north-east coast but also from Northern Ireland. Acknowledges the significant number of workers who have spent their entire working lives in the North sea oil fields.
Kirsty Blackman
SNP
Aberdeen North
Asked the Minister to consider accelerating the timeline for consultations to provide early notice before next year’s budget. Thanked Members for their comments and emphasised the importance of focusing on jobs rather than political disputes. Emphasized the urgency highlighted by Paul de Leeuw from Robert Gordon University.
Michael Shanks
Con
Lincoln
Acknowledged the contribution of Barry Gardiner and mentioned ongoing pilot projects in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire for skills development. He also discussed engagement with trade unions.
South Cambridgeshire
The hon. Member discussed the critical need for transitioning from oil and gas dominance in the North Sea to renewable energy, emphasizing the importance of homegrown energy security, reducing dependency on foreign imports, and ensuring a just transition for workers.
Seamus Logan
SNP
Aberdeenshire North and Moray East
Emphasized the importance of a 'just transition' for North Sea industries and communities, urging the government to invest in apprenticeships and infrastructure projects such as the Acorn project. Asks Andrew Bowie if he and his party still believe in net zero, to which Andrew confirms they do but criticises arbitrary targets as nonsensical.
Stephen Gethins
SNP
Arbroath and Broughty Ferry
My hon. Friend agrees on the connection between universities, colleges, and education in facilitating the energy transition. They highlighted fabrication work in Arbroath and Dundee.
Government Response
Michael Shanks
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
Government Response
Acknowledges the ongoing North Sea transition, emphasizes the need for a credible plan with the workforce at its heart, and discusses initiatives to capitalize on existing skills in Aberdeen. Acknowledged concerns about investment in skills training, ongoing pilot projects, engagement with trade unions, consultation on the future of North Sea energy, and fiscal framework. Emphasised the importance of a balanced approach to consultations and discussed plans for offshore wind, hydrogen, and carbon capture industries. Acknowledged the importance of listening to communities and managing the transition plan effectively. Stressed the need to grasp the issue at the heart of government rather than simply setting up taskforces or commissions. Pledged a credible, just, and prosperous plan for the future workforce in the North Sea.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.