Moray MP Douglas Ross has raised “serious concerns” over the SNP-Green government’s lack of support for a “Just Transition” for the oil and gas industry in the North East.
Douglas’ call comes following a “damning” report by the Scottish Parliament’s Economy and Fair Work Committee – who heard several evidence sessions surrounding a Just Transition for the North East and Moray – highlighting a 75 per cent cut in the Just Transition Fund for the coming year.
The 10-year fund was launched in 2021 and was set to be backed by £500 million. However, funding for this year has dropped to just £12 million.
Douglas says that will “deeply alarm” highly-skilled workers in the oil and gas sector – many of whom live in Moray – who already feel “completely abandoned” by politicians who want to turn the taps off immediately in the North Sea.
The committee also raised concerns over the suspension of the flexible workforce development plan, substantial cuts to employability budgets as well as the ongoing delays to the SNP-Greens climate change plan.
Douglas says that ministers must act “urgently” on the report and says their “eye cannot be off the ball” when it comes to protecting tens of thousands of jobs across the North East for generations to come.
Moray MP Douglas Ross said: “I share the committee’s serious concerns about the SNP-Green government’s lack of progress towards securing a Just Transition for our oil and gas sector.
“This damning report highlights how Shona Robison’s disastrous tax-and-axe budget has slashed funding for the very fund designed to support the future of the industry.
“That means highly-skilled workers – many of whom are in my Moray constituency – are facing a double whammy from this SNP-Green government. Not only do they threaten tens of thousands of jobs with a presumption against new licences, but they are now failing to provide proper funding as we aim to support workers in the coming years.
“Only last week, we saw the SNP-Greens climate change targets being torn apart and exposed as unrealistic. It is simply not good enough that they have still failed to produce a climate change plan.
“The energy sector is one of huge importance here in Moray and across the North East. Ministers cannot have their eye off the ball and must act urgently on this report and deliver a Just Transition that is fair and does not turn the taps off overnight in the North Sea.”