The SNP has said that Labour is “abandoning” Scotland’s oil and gas industry and threatening the just transition after figures published by an industry body showed that its windfall tax plans will cost the economy £13 billion and put up to 35,000 jobs at risk.
The analysis from Offshore Energies UK, a trade body for the UK’s offshore energies industry, shows that the planned increase and extension of the energy and profits levy will risk losing £12 billion in tax receipts and an overall loss in economic value of around £13 billion.
The alarming figures come out days after the SNP reaffirmed its commitment to a just transition for Scotland, passing a Resolution at its National Conference saying that our secure renewable energy future is being jeopardised by “reckless and irresponsible decisions by Labour at Westminster.”
The Resolution passed by delegates on the first day of the party’s Conference hailed Scotland’s renewable energy sector as one of our biggest export and employment opportunities.
In particular, the resolution highlights the substantial investment and revenue that has flowed from our energy sector.
SNP MSP Kevin Stewart said:
“The North East has the potential to be the global net zero capital, but the Labour Party’s reckless plans put this opportunity at risk.
“Having already dumped their £28 billion investment pledge, its windfall tax plans put up to 35,000 jobs at risk.
“Make no mistake about it, Labour is abandoning the oil and gas sector in Scotland – putting tens of thousands of jobs at risk and threatening our just transition.
“A just transition – for workers, for communities and for our economy – is vital, but under Labour this is under threat.
“The SNP will not rest until Scotland’s future is once again in Scotland’s hands – and the only way to protect the future of our energy resources is ultimately with independence.”
