Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he has taken work with the Scottish Government in support of the North Sea oil industry.

Oil and gas will be part of our energy mix for decades to come. The UK Government is working closely with the Scottish Government to support the North Sea energy sector, focusing on safeguarding the skills of the workforce and driving investment in the region to secure the industry's long-term future.

The government will launch the North Sea Jobs Service later this year - a national employment programme offering tailored end-to-end support for the current workforce seeking new opportunities in growing industries across the government’s industrial strategy sectors, including clean energy, defence, and advanced manufacturing.

We have provided clarity on the permanent windfall tax mechanism which will replace the Energy Profits Levy when it ends, as well as introducing ‘Transitional Energy Certificates’ which will give holders exclusivity over a specific area of the seabed adjacent to existing licenced blocks. We will continue to take the necessary steps to ensure that the North Sea’s crucial role in the UK’s energy landscape is supported for the future.