Meeting of the Parliament 05 March 2026 [Draft]
I am not quite sure why Labour members are taking such exception to Mr Stewart’s question today. It rather reinforces the lack of concern that Labour has for the employment of people in the North Sea oil and gas sector at the present moment.
I have been raising with the Prime Minister for some months now the necessity of removing the energy profits levy. Because of that levy, we are seeing an accelerated decline in oil and gas activity without the upsurge in renewables activity that we need in order for that to be compensated for.
There is a significant employment threat faced by people in the North Sea oil and gas sector, and the Labour Party is absolutely oblivious to all of that. It does not care about it one jot—[Interruption.] Well, this Government cares about the employment of individuals in Scotland. I reiterate my call for the removal of the energy profits levy, and it should happen the sooner the better.