Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is to visit Aberdeen to discuss North Sea energy industry concerns over his party’s policies.
When asked at a British Chambers of Commerce event whether he’d commit to a north-east visit, the man widely tipped to become the UK’s next prime minister said: “I’ll see you in Aberdeen.”
The invitation was from Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce (AGCC) chief executive Russell Borthwick, who also highlighted the risk to from UK Government energy policy.
A report from the chamber this week says members have no faith in any UK political party delivering the energy transition.
It also notes the energy profits levy, or “windfall tax” as one of the primary drivers for confidence in the UK North Sea plummeting over the past year.
Labour has said it will block new oil and gas and impose even harsher tax policies on the industry if it wins power.
The worst thing we can do is not take this seriously.”
Sir Keir Starmer
Accepting Mr Borthwick’s invitation, Sir Keir said: “I’ve been to Aberdeen previously to talk this through, a couple of years ago now. Very happy to come back.
“I absolutely agree with your underpinning concern, which is that as we transition it’s got to be a fair and just transition.
“There may be those on well-paid secure jobs in oil and gas (who are) anxious about what happens if we transition.
“I actually think it’s being handled well. If you look at offshore wind turbines, if you look at floating wind turbines, the skills… we’ve got offshore skills like no other country and these are in the places the transition piece is taking place, so the worst thing we can do is not to take this seriously.”
No date yet
Labour has yet to confirm when Sir Keir will visit Aberdeen.
The party leader also told Mr Borthwick the UK must “never ever” make the same mistake it did with the decline of the coal industry – shifting away without a transition plan for workers.
Mr Borthwick told Sir Keir about 25% of the UK’s energy workforce was in the north-east.
The chamber chief added: “There’s already really clear evidence emerging that current policies are putting tens of thousands of those jobs at risk, and actually cancelling or diverting billions of pounds of renewable energy investment either away from the UK or out altogether.”
AGCC’s latest energy transition survey found a drop in confidence in the UK North Sea industry, in large part due to government policies.
The chamber and survey partner KPMG warned this, coupled with better conditions overseas, risks skills and investment being lost.
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