GMB Scotland his raised concerns aat e acceleratit approach tae eynin North Sea drillin cuid lead tae economic consequences similar tae yon experienced durin e closure o Britain’s coal mines in e 1980s. E union, fit represents a significant nummer o warkers in e energy sector, are feart aat ile an gas employees an their faimilies micht face abandonment akin tae the hairdships tholed by minin communities fower decade syne.

Atween 1980 an 1994, e UK seen e loss o ower 200,000 minin jobs as nearly 200 pits were closed, resultin in lang-lastin economic distress. E noo, e ile an gas sector hauds rochly 120,000 jobs gaan in e UK. Louise Gilmour, secretary o GMB Scotland, criticised government officials for nae lairnin fae past mistaks, suggestin they are heidin til anither industrial crisis.

Gilmour stated, “Aa the promises o nyow jobs bein made tae Ile an gas warkers e day are e same promises made tae miners 40 year syne. They meant naething then an, ithoot urgent action, will mean naething noo” She emphasised e need for immediate meisurs for tae protect jobs in e sector, as resairch fae Robert Gordon University shaws aat 200 ile an gas jobs cuid be tint ilka wikk ower e neist five year ithoot intervention.

E union is caain on Chancellor Rachel Reeves tae reduce e winfaa tax on affshore ile an gas operations in e upcomin budget for tae stabilise the industry an mitigate job losses. Mair ower, GMB Scotland is urgin e UK government tae approve e Rosebank field development an for e Scottish government tae reconsider its stance on nyow nuclear energy projects.

Gilmour pyntit oot e importance o an industrial strategy aat uphauds e transition tae renewable energy wi fowk haudin ontil e skills o ile an gas warkers, statin, “E need for an industrial strategy driven by ambition an investment aat can bigg on iss skills cuidna be mair urgent.”