Offshore Industry and Shipping: Coronavirus

(asked on 16th November 2020) - View Source

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason workers in the (a) offshore oil and gas and (b) shipping industries were not specifically included in the Plan for Jobs announced on 8 July 2020; and what steps he has taken since that date to support levels of domestic (i) employment and (ii) training in those industries.


Answered by
Kemi Badenoch Portrait
Kemi Badenoch
President of the Board of Trade
This question was answered on 23rd November 2020

The Plan for Jobs, announced on 8 July, invested in opportunities for people to develop skills to find and retain a job, expanding the National Careers Service, tripling the number of sector-based work academy placements for 2020-21, tripling the scale of traineeships, and funding a brand new offer to all 18 and 19 year olds studying high value level 2 and 3 courses. Recognising young people are particularly at risk of labour marketing scarring, the Government also launched a new £2bn Kickstart Scheme, creating hundreds of thousands of new, fully subsidised jobs for young people (16-24) at risk of long-term unemployment across Great Britain. There is also a guaranteed foundation of support to all 18-24 year olds on Universal Credit in the Intensive Worksearch group, through its new Youth Offer. The Plan for Jobs’ focus on traineeships and jobs for young people was well received by Oil & Gas UK, the offshore oil and gas industry trade body. The offshore oil and gas industry and shipping industry can both access the economy-wide support measures offered through the Plan for Jobs.

On the 5 November, the Government announced a further extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, until the end of March. This means employees can receive 80% of their usual salary for hours not worked, up to a maximum of £2,500 per month. The Government has also announced an increase to the third self-employed grant, covering November to January, from 55% to 80% of trading profits.

The Government is in frequent contact with the offshore oil and gas industry to support it in tackling the twin challenges of a low oil price and Covid-19. This has included regular engagement with the industry regulator, the Oil and Gas Authority, and the trade body, Oil & Gas UK.

Furthermore, the Government remains committed to seafarer training through its Support for Maritime Training programme which will see its budget increase to £30m by 2024/25. In addition, the Maritime Skills Commission is undertaking a Cadet Review, led by the Maritime Coastal Agency, which will look at the skills needs of cadets. The Government also remains committed to the development and delivery of maritime apprenticeships.

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