This week is a vital one for the North Sea, and the thousands who depend on it for their jobs.
On Wednesday, the chancellor will unveil his Budget for the next 12 months.
It’s absolutely crucial that we see more support for the oil and gas sector which has gone through so much pain over the last year.
We all know the scale of the crisis facing the industry in the north-east.
We must keep production going, as failing to do so could make a huge impact on the onshore hub in Aberdeen and surrounding areas.
All these innovative companies spun out of the industry – the exploration, service and supply chain firms – are based here because there is hub which has been built up over 40 years.
They both compete with, and rely on, each other to make the north-east the oil and gas capital of Europe.
If these companies start to relocate – to Houston or the Gulf – they may not return.
That’s why it’s so important for the long-term health of the industry that we support the industry now in any way we can.
I know from speaking to people and businesses how much the downturn is hurting.
And no politician can just pull a lever and raise the oil price single-handedly.
But what’s crucial is that – when this storm is over – we’ve kept our companies based here in Scotland and we can expand and grow again.
We’ve seen more support already from the UK Government – not least in last year’s Budget, with a £1.3billion package of tax cuts.
But since then the oil price has fallen further, from $60 a barrel to just $40 today.
It’s therefore pretty clear to me that further help is necessary.
I want to see a further cut in the taxes levied on operators on top of those given last year. I’d also like to encourage investment in the industry by granting more allowances to firms that do so.
One of the benefits of my job is that I can put these issues direct to my colleagues in the UK Government.
Last week I spoke directly with George Osborne – as I do ahead of every Budget – and support for the oil and gas industry was top of my list.
As is always the case with these pre-budget calls, the chancellor is duty bound not to give anything away as to what might happen.
But he understood the need to act. He, like me, speaks regularly to people in the industry – operators, supply side firms and the new regulator.
Support is necessary and the UK Government needs to deliver.
Stepping up to help is in all our interests.
Talk of the demise of the North Sea is, for me, completely wrongheaded.
Sir Ian Wood is right to say that with imagination and growing engineering expertise, we have many good years left ahead of us.
And for the government – whether that’s the one in London or in Edinburgh – there is huge incentive in ensuring that the skills built up over the last 40 years are not lost, and that the engine of the North Sea continues to drive our wider Scottish and UK economy.
We need to use the tax regime to support the North Sea in its time of need – because if we keep the industry going, then the country will benefit tenfold over the long term.
I hope this week will mark a turning point.
It might not bring an end to the tough times I know many people are suffering.
But with the right actions, it might just show the commitment and determination to make sure we see the tough times out, and are ready for better times to come.
Ruth Davidson is the leader of the Scottish Conservatives.
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