Energy Secretary Amber Rudd will chair a new ministerial group on oil and gas.
The group met for the first time yesterday and agreed to produce a UK Oil and Gas plan in the spring, which will focus on the steps the government “will take to support those who may lose their jobs in the oil and gas sector, and set out how Government and industry can help these skilled workers move into other sectors, including other energy related infrastructure projects”.
Rudd said: “The UK Government stands 100% behind our oil and gas industry and the thousands of workers and families it supports. It’s a fantastic industry which benefits Scotland and the whole of the UK, but clearly the low oil price brings real challenges, and we’re determined to do everything we can to take advantage of the UK’s broad shoulders and help build a bridge to the future for UK oil and gas.
“We’re stepping up our response, and yesterday I chaired a very productive meeting of the new ministerial group on oil and gas. As well as looking at how we help the industry get more business internationally and draw more investment into the UK, its very first priority will be to set out what steps the UK Government will take to support those who may lose their jobs in the oil and gas sector. The plan will focus on how government and industry can help these skilled workers move into other sectors and find opportunities where their skills can be best put to use, including other energy related infrastructure projects.”
The group confirmation comes as David Cameron revealed a new £250million package aimed at steadying the sector and surrounding north-east community. The Scottish government pledged a further £254million for infrastructure in the area.
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