The announcement that US energy giant Apache plans to cease all North Sea operations by 2029 has struck a serious chord with the SNP, who blame the impact of the UK’s windfall tax on this decision.
SNP Economy spokesperson Dave Doogan MP has issued a stark warning, criticising Labour’s role in putting Scotland’s skilled offshore workforce at risk, jeopardising both future investment and the nation’s net-zero ambitions.
According to Mr Doogan:
“The Labour Party have put our skilled offshore workforce at risk and are actively draining investment, risking our energy security and our ability to hit net-zero – it’s potentially the worst of all worlds.”
He argues that the current approach to energy policy, which includes a tax burden on companies like Apache, actively undermines green growth and investment in the domestic workforce that’s essential for a successful energy transition.
The SNP is particularly vocal about the financial contribution the North Sea has made to the UK over the years, with Mr Doogan reminding us that over £400 billion has flowed into the Treasury, leaving Scotland to shoulder the burden while seeing minimal returns.
He draws a parallel with Grangemouth, where Labour’s policies and fiscal decisions have previously led to challenges for Scottish industry, suggesting this new decision will also have grave repercussions.
Pointing to recent voting patterns, Mr Doogan took issue with Scottish Labour MPs who, he says, “skipped through the voting lobbies” to endorse policies that threaten Scottish jobs and Scotland’s net-zero targets, a stance he insists the SNP will never support.
The SNP’s message is clear: they’ll continue to prioritise Scotland’s interests, especially as the country navigates the complexities of transitioning to a sustainable energy future while safeguarding its workforce.
