Political engagement| Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce

Our recent responses to policy consultations

Industrial strategy- joint paper with OEUK & Opito submitted to Department of Business and Trade (Jun 2025)
Oil and gas price mechanism - HM Treasury, UK Government (May 2025)
Building the North Sea’s Energy Future - Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, UK Government (April 2025)
Local Development Plan - Aberdeen City Council (Feb 2025)
A96 Corridor Review - Transport Scotland (Feb 2025)
Comprehensive Spending Review - HM Treasury (Feb 2025)
GB Energy and the net zero transition - Scottish Affairs Committee, UK Parliament (Jan 2025)
Draft Supplementary EIA Guidance - UK Government (Jan 2025)
Great British Energy Bill - Public Bill Committee, UK Parliament (Oct 2024)

Our recent correspondence with government and politicians

Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop MSP re the Buchan Sustainable Rail project (CNER)
Response from Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop MSP regarding rail transport in the North-east
Open Letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer MP on the future of the UK's energy industry
Response from Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband MP regarding Zonal Pricing
Response from First Minister John Swinney MSP regarding energy industry concerns
Letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer MP regarding energy policy concerns
Letter to First Minister John Swinney MSP re energy industry concerns
Letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves MP regarding Acorn - signed by cross-party politicians
Letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer MP regarding zonal pricing
Letter to First Minister John Swinney MSP ahead of the 2025/26 Programme for Government
Response from Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury James Murray MP re Inheritance Tax / Business Property Relief
Response from Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Shona Robison MSP regarding Grangemouth and the Just Transition Fund
Letter to Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Shona Robison MSP regarding Grangemouth and the Just Transition Fund
Response from Minister of State for Industry Sarah Jones MP re Acorn
Letter to Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves MP regarding Business Property Relief and Inheritance Tax changes
Response from Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Shona Robison MSP re the Just Transition Fund
Letter to Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Shona Robison MSP regarding the Just Transition Fund
Response from Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Shona Robison MSP regarding the Chamber's Scottish Budget priorities
Response from Minister for Energy Michael Shanks MP regarding GB Energy
Letter to Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Shona Robison MSP ahead of the Scottish Budget
Letter to GB Energy Chairman Juergen Maier on his appointment
Response from Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Shona Robison MSP re the Future of the North Sea
Letter to Russell Findlay MSP on his appointment as Leader of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Letter to Minister for Energy Michael Shanks MP regarding the GB Energy location announcement
Letter to Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP regarding the GB Energy location announcement
Letter from Minister for Energy Michael Shanks MP re the GB Energy HQ location announcement
Response from Logan Henry (SBEE) regarding the Scottish Government's Programme for Government
Letter to First Minister John Swinney MSP ahead of the 2024 Programme for Government
Response from Seamus Logan MP on congratulations letter
Letter to Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy Gillian Martin MSP calling for a joint committee session on oil and gas
Response from Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy Gillian Martin MSP regarding the Just Transition Fund Budget cuts
Open letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer MP, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband MP and Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar MSP on locating GB Energy in Aberdeen
Letter to Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Sir Keir Starmer MP on his appointment as PM and highlighting the priorities of the North-east business community
Response from Aberdeen City Council Co-Leaders on city centre traffic measures
Letter to Aberdeen City Council Co-leaders regarding a "Common Sense Compromise" city centre traffic measures
Letter to Seamus Logan MP on his election to Parliament following the 2024 General Election
Letter to Harriet Cross MP on her election to Parliament following the 2024 General Election
Letter to Stephen Flynn MP on his re-election to Parliament following the 2024 General Election
Letter to Kirsty Blackman MP on her re-election to Parliament following the 2024 UK General Election
Letter to Andrew Bowie MP on his re-election to Parliament following the 2024 General Election
Letter to Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy Gillian Martin MSP regarding the Just Transition Fund and Campaign for North East Rail
Response from Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Gareth Davies MP regarding Energy Profits Levy
Response from First Minister John Swinney MSP regarding ET39 and a Just Transition
Letter to First Minister John Swinney MSP regarding Energy Transition Survey (ET39)
Response from the Minister for Exports, Lord Malcolm Offord, regarding UK Export Support Services
Response from First Minister John Swinney MSP on his appointment as First Minister
Letter to Aberdeen City Council Co-leaders regarding local authority interventions and the associated impact on city centre footfall
Letter to First Minister John Swinney MSP on his appointment as First Minister
Letter to Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero Justin Tomlinson MP on his appointment / DESNZ jobs U-turn
Letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt. Hon. Jeremy Hunt MP regarding Contracts for Difference (CfD)
Response from Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop MSP regarding MSRS and rail freight support funding
Letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP regarding the Energy Profits Levy extension
Letter to Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop MSP regarding rail freight funding support
Response from HM Treasury regarding AGCC's Spring Budget asks
Response from Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance Shona Robison MSP regarding the Just Transition Fund and college sector funding
Letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP in advance of the Spring Statement
Letter to Leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer MP, regarding Labour's energy policy (EPL increase)
Response from the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance Shona Robison MSP regarding the Scottish Budget
Response from the Minister for Small Business, Innovation, Tourism and Trade Richard Lochhead MSP regarding cuts to the Just Transition Fund
Response from Minister for State for Energy Security and Net Zero Rt. Hon. Graham Stuart MP regarding the relocation on DESNZ
Letter to Alan Whitelaw, Property Director at the Government Property Agency, regarding relocating DESNZ jobs to Aberdeen
Letter to Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Gareth Davies MP regarding the Energy Profits Levy
Response from Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Gareth Davies MP regarding EPL
Response from Minister of State for Transport Huw Merriman MP re HS2 funding for North-east rail projects
Letter to the First Minister Humza Yousaf MSP regarding Just Transition Fund budget cuts
Response from the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy Neil Gray MSP regarding the relocation of the DESNZ headquarters
Response from the Minister for Community Wealth and Public Finance Tom Arthur MSP regarding business rates in the upcoming Scottish Budget
Letter to the Minister for Community Wealth and Public Finance Tom Arthur MSP re the Chamber's Scottish Budget asks for the North-east region
Letter to Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance Shona Robison MSP re the Chamber's Scottish Budget asks for the North-east region
Letter to Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero Graham Stuart MP regarding the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero's (DESNZ) relocation announcement
Letter to First Minister Humza Yousaf MSP regarding the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero's (DESNZ) relocation announcement
Response from the Scottish Government Directorate for Energy and Climate Change regarding the 38th Energy Transition Survey
Letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP regarding the Autumn Statement
Letter to Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance Shona Robison MSP re Business Rates in the upcoming Scottish Budget
Letter to Leader of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer MP following the Aberdeen roundtable event
Response from Minister for Energy and the Environment Gillian Martin MSP re offshore renewables supply chain investment
Letter to Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove MP to request HS2 funding for North-east rail links
Letter to First Minister Humza Yousaf MSP regarding offshore wind supply chain funding announcement
Letter to Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Claire Coutinho MP on appointment
Response from Minister for Housing Paul McLennan MSP on Short Term Letting Licenses and Non-Domestic Rates in the self-catering sector
Letter to Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Gareth Davies MP regarding the Energy Profits Levy
Response from Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Gareth Davies MP on the 2023 Spring Budget and energy issues
Letter to Minister for Community Wealth and Public Finance Tom Arthur MSP regarding the impact of Short Term Let Licences and Non-Domestic Rates on the self-catering sector
Letter to Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper MP regarding an Immigration system made for Scotland
Letter to Michael Marra MSP regarding North Sea oil and gas licensing
Letter to Minister for Energy and the Environment Gillian Martin MSP regarding North Sea oil and gas licensing
Letter to Scottish Labour Party Leader Anas Sarwar MSP regarding North Sea oil and gas licensing
Letter to Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero Mairi McAllan MSP following the launch of the Energy Transition 37 survey
Follow up letter to Minister for Immigration Robert Jenrick MP regarding offshore wind workers
Response from Minister for Immigration Robert Jenrick MP on visa concessions for offshore wind workers
Letter to Minister for Immigration Robert Jenrick MP regarding visa concessions for offshore wind workers
Response from First Minister Humza Yousaf MSP on his appointment as First Minister
Letter to First Minister Humza Yousaf MSP on his appointment as First Minister
Letter from Humza Yousaf MSP on North-east Scotland policy issues
Letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt MP in advance of the 2023 Spring Budget Statement
Letter to Humza Yousaf MSP on North-east Scotland policy issues
Letter to Kate Forbes MSP on North-east Scotland policy issues
Letter to Ash Regan MSP on North-east Scotland policy issues
Letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak MP on locating the new Department of Energy Security and Net Zero in Aberdeen
Letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Michael Matheson MSP regarding the Draft Energy Strategy
Response from Financial Secretary to the Treasury Victoria Atkins MP regarding energy issues
Letter to Leader of the Opposition Sir Keir Starmer MP on Labour opposition to new North Sea oil and gas fields
Letter to Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt MP regarding the Energy Profits Levy extension
Letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak MP on his appointment as Prime Minister
Letter to Leader of the Opposition Sir Keir Starmer MP about the future of the UK's energy sector
Letter to Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawi MP regarding a second North Sea windfall tax
Letter to Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Michael Matheson MSP (et al) regarding the delay of the Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) leasing round
Letter to Stephen Flynn MP regarding proposals to introduce a North Sea windfall tax
Letter to Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak MP regarding resisting calls to impose a energy windfall tax
Letter to Convenor of the Covid-19 Recovery Committee Siobhian Brown MSP regarding the Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Bill
Letter to Shadow Secretary of State of Climate Change and Net Zero Edward Miliband MP regarding North Sea taxation
Letter from the Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work Richard Lochhead MSP regarding the Just Transition Fund
Joint letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson MP regarding the Scottish Acorn Cluster
Letter to Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture Fiona Hyslop MSP welcoming emergency Covid-19 funding for culture venues
Response from Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Fair Work and Culture Fiona Hyslop MSP regarding support for businesses affected by the Aberdeen-specific Covid-19 lockdown
Response from Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Kemi Badenoch MP regarding business support during Covid-19
Letter to Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Economy Fiona Hyslop MSP regarding Covid-19 business support schemes
Letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson MP on his appointment as Prime Minister and 10 asks of his Government

Our recent responses to policy consultations

Industrial strategy- joint paper with OEUK & Opito submitted to Department of Business and Trade (Jun 2025)

Oil and gas price mechanism - HM Treasury, UK Government (May 2025)

Building the North Sea’s Energy Future - Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, UK Government (April 2025)

Local Development Plan - Aberdeen City Council (Feb 2025)

A96 Corridor Review - Transport Scotland (Feb 2025)

Comprehensive Spending Review - HM Treasury (Feb 2025)

GB Energy and the net zero transition - Scottish Affairs Committee, UK Parliament (Jan 2025)

Draft Supplementary EIA Guidance - UK Government (Jan 2025)

Great British Energy Bill - Public Bill Committee, UK Parliament (Oct 2024)

Our recent correspondence with government and politicians

Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop MSP re the Buchan Sustainable Rail project (CNER)

Response from Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop MSP regarding rail transport in the North-east

Open Letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer MP on the future of the UK's energy industry

Response from Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband MP regarding Zonal Pricing

Response from First Minister John Swinney MSP regarding energy industry concerns

Letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer MP regarding energy policy concerns

Letter to First Minister John Swinney MSP re energy industry concerns

Letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves MP regarding Acorn - signed by cross-party politicians

Letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer MP regarding zonal pricing

Letter to First Minister John Swinney MSP ahead of the 2025/26 Programme for Government

Response from Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury James Murray MP re Inheritance Tax / Business Property Relief

Response from Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Shona Robison MSP regarding Grangemouth and the Just Transition Fund

Letter to Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Shona Robison MSP regarding Grangemouth and the Just Transition Fund

Response from Minister of State for Industry Sarah Jones MP re Acorn

Letter to Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves MP regarding Business Property Relief and Inheritance Tax changes

Response from Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Shona Robison MSP re the Just Transition Fund

Letter to Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Shona Robison MSP regarding the Just Transition Fund

Response from Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Shona Robison MSP regarding the Chamber's Scottish Budget priorities

Response from Minister for Energy Michael Shanks MP regarding GB Energy

Letter to Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Shona Robison MSP ahead of the Scottish Budget

Letter to GB Energy Chairman Juergen Maier on his appointment

Response from Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Shona Robison MSP re the Future of the North Sea

Letter to Russell Findlay MSP on his appointment as Leader of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

Letter to Minister for Energy Michael Shanks MP regarding the GB Energy location announcement

Letter to Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP regarding the GB Energy location announcement

Letter from Minister for Energy Michael Shanks MP re the GB Energy HQ location announcement

Response from Logan Henry (SBEE) regarding the Scottish Government's Programme for Government

Letter to First Minister John Swinney MSP ahead of the 2024 Programme for Government

Response from Seamus Logan MP on congratulations letter

Letter to Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy Gillian Martin MSP calling for a joint committee session on oil and gas

Response from Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy Gillian Martin MSP regarding the Just Transition Fund Budget cuts

Open letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer MP, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband MP and Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar MSP on locating GB Energy in Aberdeen

Letter to Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Sir Keir Starmer MP on his appointment as PM and highlighting the priorities of the North-east business community

Response from Aberdeen City Council Co-Leaders on city centre traffic measures

Letter to Aberdeen City Council Co-leaders regarding a "Common Sense Compromise" city centre traffic measures

Letter to Seamus Logan MP on his election to Parliament following the 2024 General Election

Letter to Harriet Cross MP on her election to Parliament following the 2024 General Election

Letter to Stephen Flynn MP on his re-election to Parliament following the 2024 General Election

Letter to Kirsty Blackman MP on her re-election to Parliament following the 2024 UK General Election

Letter to Andrew Bowie MP on his re-election to Parliament following the 2024 General Election

Letter to Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy Gillian Martin MSP regarding the Just Transition Fund and Campaign for North East Rail

Response from Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Gareth Davies MP regarding Energy Profits Levy

Response from First Minister John Swinney MSP regarding ET39 and a Just Transition

Letter to First Minister John Swinney MSP regarding Energy Transition Survey (ET39)

Response from the Minister for Exports, Lord Malcolm Offord, regarding UK Export Support Services

Response from First Minister John Swinney MSP on his appointment as First Minister

Letter to Aberdeen City Council Co-leaders regarding local authority interventions and the associated impact on city centre footfall

Letter to First Minister John Swinney MSP on his appointment as First Minister

Letter to Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero Justin Tomlinson MP on his appointment / DESNZ jobs U-turn

Letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt. Hon. Jeremy Hunt MP regarding Contracts for Difference (CfD)

Response from Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop MSP regarding MSRS and rail freight support funding

Letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP regarding the Energy Profits Levy extension

Letter to Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop MSP regarding rail freight funding support

Response from HM Treasury regarding AGCC's Spring Budget asks

Response from Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance Shona Robison MSP regarding the Just Transition Fund and college sector funding

Letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP in advance of the Spring Statement

Letter to Leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer MP, regarding Labour's energy policy (EPL increase)

Response from the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance Shona Robison MSP regarding the Scottish Budget

Response from the Minister for Small Business, Innovation, Tourism and Trade Richard Lochhead MSP regarding cuts to the Just Transition Fund

Response from Minister for State for Energy Security and Net Zero Rt. Hon. Graham Stuart MP regarding the relocation on DESNZ

Letter to Alan Whitelaw, Property Director at the Government Property Agency, regarding relocating DESNZ jobs to Aberdeen

Letter to Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Gareth Davies MP regarding the Energy Profits Levy

Response from Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Gareth Davies MP regarding EPL

Response from Minister of State for Transport Huw Merriman MP re HS2 funding for North-east rail projects

Letter to the First Minister Humza Yousaf MSP regarding Just Transition Fund budget cuts

Response from the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy Neil Gray MSP regarding the relocation of the DESNZ headquarters

Response from the Minister for Community Wealth and Public Finance Tom Arthur MSP regarding business rates in the upcoming Scottish Budget

Letter to the Minister for Community Wealth and Public Finance Tom Arthur MSP re the Chamber's Scottish Budget asks for the North-east region

Letter to Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance Shona Robison MSP re the Chamber's Scottish Budget asks for the North-east region