David Cameron was accused of failing to treat the North Sea as a priority last night after appointing a 16th energy minister in 18 years.
The prime minister’s reshuffle move – which was branded “ absolutely ridiculous” by a north-east MSP – was among a series of changes affecting the oil and gas sector.
Industry leaders were braced for the revolving door to swing again at the Department of Energy and Climate Change after the Conservatives won a majority at last week’s election.
It meant there would be no place in the new government for the former Liberal Democrat Energy Secretary Ed Davey, who lost his seat anyway.
Mr Cameron handed that job to Amber Rudd, a former banker and Edinburgh University graduate who was previously a junior minister in the department, overseeing climate change policy.
But the Tory leader went further in his re-shuffle by also moving Matt Hancock from the energy minister role which overseas the North Sea to a brief in the Cabinet Office, having only appointed him last July.
Andrea Leadsom, who spent the last year as a junior minister at the Treasury, will take over the portfolio at a highly sensitive time for the offshore industry as it recovers from the global price slump and the new Oil and Gas Authority gets up and running in Aberdeen.
It means Mr Cameron has now appointed five different energy ministers in his five years at 10 Downing Street, despite promising in 2010 that he would end the ministerial merry-go-round at the department.
Other changes that affect the sector include Sajid Javid’s promotion to business secretary, replacing defeated Lib Dem Vince Cable, and Greg Hands taking over from Danny Alexander as chief secretary to the Treasury.
Kevin Stewart, SNP MSP for Aberdeen Central, criticised the reshuffle.
“This is an absolutely ridiculous situation and shows quite clearly that the oil and gas industry, and energy industry as a whole, is not a priority for Westminster governments,” he said.
“I think that many people in the oil and gas industry will be aghast at once again having to find a new minister who will have to learn from a standing start about an industry that is so vital, not only to the north-east of Scotland, but the UK as well.”
Deirdre Michie, chief executive of trade body Oil and Gas UK, said: “These ministerial positions are absolutely crucial to the on-going success of our industry, which contributes so much to this country, not only through supplying a secure supply of oil and gas, but through the support of some 450,000 jobs and a £35billion supply chain which is recognised as world-leading.”
She added: “We are looking forward to meeting the new ministers as soon as possible in order to support them in understanding the contribution our industry makes, and to outline the issues we face.
“For our industry stability is very important, and therefore we also hope to see continuity of office within this new Cabinet.”
Before entering politics, Ms Rudd, 51, worked for J.P. Morgan in both London and New York, and had a claim to fame by recruiting extras for the film Four Weddings and a Funeral.
Previously married to the writer A. A. Gill, she was elected as the MP for Hastings and Rye in 2010, and became a close ally of Chancellor George Osborne, serving as his parliamentary private secretary.
Her appointment was welcomed by environmental groups last night, some of whom have been impressed with her performance as under-secretary of state for climate change over the last year.
Johm Sauven, executive director of Greenpeace UK, said: “Amber Rudd’s appointment as secretary of state for energy and climate is a hopeful sign that the government remains committed to implementing the Climate Change Act and achieving a strong international climate deal in Paris later this year.
“Ms Rudd was a key player in securing vital reforms to the EU Common Fisheries Policy and championing a better deal for the UK’s local, sustainable fishing sector.
“We look forward to her bringing the same drive and ambition to securing the clean and efficient energy future Britain needs.”
RenewableUK’s chief executive Maria McCaffery said: “We wish Amber Rudd well as energy secretary. We welcome the positive commitments which she has made on reducing carbon emissions, tackling climate change and protecting the environment.”
Serving under her will be Ms Leadsom, the MP for South Northamptonshire, who has previously said that the benefits of onshore wind have been “hugely exaggerated”, and has also been supportive of fracking for shale gas.