Thousands of jobs in the North Sea oil and gas industry could be in jeopardy due to Labour’s ambitious net zero plans, according to recent warnings from industry leaders and union representatives.
The concerns come as the opposition party’s energy policies face increasing scrutiny ahead of the next general election.
Unite, the UK’s largest trade union, has criticised the government’s current energy plans for failing to address major decisions necessary for job creation, bill reduction, and long-term energy security.
Sharon Graham, Unite General Secretary, said: “Workers and their communities are crying out for joined up thinking”.
Graham further emphasised the need for a balanced approach to energy transition, saying, “Energy security means that we must not let go of one rope until we have hold of another”.
She highlighted the government’s lack of commitment to key projects such as the Sizewell C nuclear power plant and investment in wind manufacturing.
The union’s concerns extend to the potential impact on the workforce currently employed in the North Sea oil and gas sector.
According to Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), the industry supports over 200,000 jobs in the UK, with approximately 84,000 of these situated in Scotland.
Critics argue that Labour’s accelerated timeline for transitioning away from fossil fuels could lead to significant job losses without adequate plans for creating alternative employment opportunities.
The party’s commitment to ending new oil and gas exploration licenses in the North Sea has particularly raised alarm bells within the industry.
As the debate continues, both the government and opposition face the challenge of balancing environmental goals with economic concerns and job security.
The coming months are likely to see increased discussion on how best to navigate the transition to cleaner energy sources while safeguarding employment in affected sectors.
