Oil and Gas Industry
(Redcar) (Con)
What steps he is taking to support the oil and gas industry in
Scotland. [902833]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland
()
In my role in the Scotland Office, along with the Minister for
Business, Energy and Clean Growth, there is regular UK Government
engagement with the Oil and Gas Authority and with the wider
industry to discuss the significant levels of Government support
available to it as part of our unprecedented package of support
to business.
[V]
This is an extremely difficult and uncertain time for oil and gas
companies in Scotland and across the UK. I am sure my hon. Friend
shares my concern about the impact this uncertainty is having on
thousands of people who work in the sector, so will he outline
what support is available to British oil and gas workers, and
will he work with the sector to prevent job losses during this
pandemic?
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that question. This is an
issue that has been raised in my own constituency. People in
Moray travel around the world working in the oil industry.
Clearly, the coronavirus job retention scheme is open to the oil
and gas industry. Oil and Gas UK has reported that about 30% of
respondents to its recent business survey said that they were
successful in securing that funding. I would encourage others to
look at that as an option to protect their workforce.
