Unite has welcomed the government’s consultation on the future of the North Sea but insists it must lead to real jobs and not just empty discussions.
The union has been pushing for this consultation through its No Ban Without A Plan campaign, demanding Labour rethink its stance on halting new oil and gas licenses until enough green energy jobs exist.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham has made it clear that words alone are not enough.
She stated that the government needs to produce a clear plan that guarantees secure, well-paid jobs for North Sea workers transitioning to renewable energy.
She emphasised that the consultation must not become just another talking shop with no real action.
Investment in wind manufacturing and other green technologies is essential to create the high-quality employment that has long been promised but rarely delivered.
Graham warned against policies that simply offshore carbon responsibilities under the guise of environmental virtue signalling.
She stressed that the UK cannot afford to let go of existing energy jobs without first securing a solid alternative in renewables.
Unite’s campaign has kept pressure on the government to ensure that the transition is managed responsibly, preventing mass job losses and economic instability.
With the North Sea industry at a crossroads, the union insists that workers’ livelihoods must be prioritised in any future energy strategy.
