Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what his policy is on achieving a transition to a net zero carbon economy for workers in the offshore oil and gas industry.
The Government is currently in discussion with the industry about our manifesto commitment to deliver a transformational oil and gas Sector Deal. This recognises that the sector has an important role to play as the UK moves to a net zero economy and is already strongly focussed on being part of the solution to the challenges that the transition will bring. I expect this Deal to focus on supporting jobs and maintaining skills, as well as new technologies and approaches that can help us decarbonise our economy.
On 11 June, I attended the Oil and Gas Authority’s Maximising Economic Recovery Forum with industry leaders to discuss first proposals from the oil and gas industry for a Sector Deal, as well as the challenges posed by COVID-19, and the sector’s recovery.