A cross-industry coalition of business leaders, trade unions and trade bodies has urged Labour MPs to prioritise homegrown oil and gas over imports, warning that the UK's economic future depends on maintaining domestic energy production alongside investment in renewables.
The OEUK-led letter, signed by representatives from sectors including offshore energy, chemicals, engineering, shipping and construction materials, was handed to MPs outside the Houses of Parliament yesterday by offshore workers in PPE and apprentices following an industry summit in Whitehall attended by operators, unions, industry groups and Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce.
Addressed to all 403 Labour MPs, the letter argues the UK will continue to need oil and gas for decades and says the key policy choice is whether those resources are produced domestically or increasingly imported. It warns greater reliance on imports would expose the UK to geopolitical risks while undermining jobs, communities and industrial supply chains.
The Westminster event was accompanied by coordinated displays of banners on offshore installations and industrial sites carrying the message: "Back North Sea oil and gas. Not imports."
David Whitehouse, chief executive of Offshore Energies UK, said: "Our colleagues in other industries are joining us to show their support for this basic message. Energy security, economic resilience and reindustrialisation depend on maintaining domestic energy production as well as greater investment in renewable and low-carbon technologies.
"We fully support the government’s ambition to build a secure, lower-carbon energy system, but energy transition must follow an 'all-energy approach' that builds on existing industrial strengths and strengthens rather than weakens national industrial capability."
LISTEN: Ryan Crighton discusses the letter with BBC Radio Scotland
Ryan Crighton, Policy Director at Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: “The future of UK oil and gas production has been the subject of intense debate over recent years, focussed largely on the environment, the economy and energy security. On every measure, domestic production from the North Sea wins.
“On the environment, we produce oil and gas under some of the highest environmental standards in the world – and the gas we pipe ashore from the North Sea is up to four times cleaner than LNG shipped from the other side of the world.
“On the economy, domestic production also supports 200,000 jobs, generates around 150 times more income tax than imported energy, and 400 times more production tax.
“And on energy security, it goes without saying that having a steady source of domestic energy is far better than relying on other countries to power your economy, hospitals and homes."
Gary Smith, GMB general secretary, said: "In an increasingly uncertain world, it is more important than ever that we can get the energy we need to power our homes, businesses, and essential public services.
"We will need oil and gas for decades to come. Increasing our reliance on imported energy from overseas for the essential elements that power our economy and keep the country going, leaves us worryingly exposed.
"GMB is looking to the Government to show it understands the significance of this moment – jobs, communities, and our national security are at stake."