Energy industry leaders have criticised Chancellor Rachel Reeves after she dismissed warnings that around 1,000 North Sea jobs are being lost every month due to UK Government policy.
Speaking during a visit to Grangemouth on Wednesday, the Chancellor rejected the figure, prompting an angry response from the sector.
David Whitehouse, chief executive of Offshore Energies UK, said the impact on workers is undeniable.
“The job losses are real – just ask my neighbours, friends, and colleagues – but they are not inevitable,” he said.
“Let’s be clear, the North Sea’s decline is policy-driven and reversing this trend is within the government’s control.”
Mr Whitehouse said he has written to the Chancellor and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer with proposals that could unlock £50 billion of investment if changes are made, including reform of the Energy Profits Levy.
“I urge the Chancellor to meet with me on behalf of industry – back UK jobs and please don’t dismiss real concerns,” he added.
Asked if she accepted the claim of 1,000 jobs a month being lost, Ms Reeves said: “No I don’t.”
She added: “There have been job losses for a number of years, including before the previous Conservative government introduced the energy profits levy.”
Russell Borthwick, Chief Executive at Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: "These comments are an insult to the thousands of people who have already lost their jobs as a direct consequence of the decisions made by this government.
“It is not a moot point - but rather a clear and unarguable fact - that the Energy Profits Levy is causing major job losses and the deindustrialisation of Scotland.
“The Chancellor should come to Aberdeen speak directly to the thousands of people from Harbour Energy, Apache, Verlume, Well-Safe Solutuions, Hunting, Altrad, Kaefer, Bilfinger, Chevron and Xodus Group who have already lost their jobs.
"Investment is collapsing, projects are being scrapped, fields are closing early, and companies are moving capital and capability overseas. All while our imports of higher-emitting imports go through the roof.
“The government has accepted that windfall conditions do not exist in the North Sea and designed a better tax system to reflect this, capable of unlocking £50billion of investment. The problem is that they are delaying its implementation until 2030 - which will precipitate thousands of further and avoidable North Sea job losses.”