Energy Secretary calls on UK Government for an immediate end to the Energy Profits Levy

Levy poses risk to Scotland's just energy transition

Energy Secretary Gillian Martin has called on the UK Government to immediately end the Energy Profits Levy (EPL), highlighting the risk it poses to Scotland's just energy transition.

In a letter to Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Milliband and Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Ms Martin urged the UK Government to announce the immediate removal of the EPL in its Spring Statement next week.

The Energy Secretary set out concerns that: “There are […] reserved policy areas, such as the retention of the EPL, where UK Government decisions are driving an accelerated decline in North Sea oil and gas and opening up a gap with the renewables industry. This is a gap into which jobs and livelihoods are being lost.”

The letter also follows up on recent meetings between the First Minister and Prime Minister, where the UK Government has been urged to act on energy policies to avoid risking the irreversible deindustrialisation and decline in Scotland's economy.

Background

Read the Energy Secretary's letter to the UK Government in full.