Government-backed scheme to transition oil and gas workers opens
Both Governments have pinpointed the north east as being crucial to the planned transition away from fossil fuels, with £900,000 made available for the first raft of applicants.
But the Scottish Tories criticised the plans as 'frankly embarrassing', claiming the funding was not enough.
Michael Shanks said the fund would help deliver a 'fair and prosperous transition' (Peter Byrne/PA)
'Aberdeen has been the energy capital of Britain for decades and while oil and gas will be with us for decades to come, we are determined to make sure that workers are supported to access the thousands of jobs in industries such as offshore wind and carbon capture,' the energy minister said.
'This funding will help deliver a fair and prosperous transition in the North Sea, unlocking the full potential of renewable energy and reaping the economic benefits from the skills and experiences of Aberdeen's workforce.'
Scottish Tory net zero spokesman Douglas Lumsden said: 'It's frankly embarrassing that Labour and the SNP are boasting about this scheme.
'This support for 200 workers amounts to a drop in the ocean when compared to the projected 400 jobs a fortnight being lost thanks to their decimation of the oil and gas sector.
'Both parties shamefully opposed Rosebank and Cambo (oil fields) and have said they're against North Sea drilling altogether.
'This sector drives £14 billion into our economy and supports 83,000 jobs, but John Swinney and Keir Starmer have sold it down the river.'
But Scottish Secretary Ian Murray described the announcement as 'good news' for the area and the industry, claiming it will 'ensure there is a key role for our offshore workers in delivering our net zero future'.
And Scottish Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said: 'The north east of Scotland has long been a titan in the oil and gas industry and the expertise within our workforce must be at the heart of driving a just transition to new fuels and sustainable energy.
'This new oil and gas transition training fund will support offshore workers to take on roles in the sustainable energy sector and has been designed and developed by the Scottish Government, supported by funding from UK Government's regional skills pilot for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, and will be delivered by Skills Development Scotland.
'Through initiatives such as the just transition fund and the energy transition fund, the Scottish Government has already invested £120 million in the north east's transition to net zero to help create green jobs, support innovation, and secure the highly skilled workforce of the future.'
The programme will be run by Skills Development Scotland.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
34 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
ANGELA RAYNER: 'National Minimum Wage was a lifeline for me and other low-paid workers'
Deputy PM Angela Rayner writes for The Mirror as the Low Pay Commission begins its annual work to consult with employers, trade unions and workers on the National Minimum Wage Like many Mirror readers, I know what it's like to graft every day just to cover the bills – but still struggle to make ends meet. As a young single mum, I worked long night shifts as a home help on low pay to get me and my young family through the week. That's why the National Minimum Wage - launched by the last Labour government - was such a lifeline for me and for other low paid workers. It put more money in my pocket and gave me the security and opportunity I needed to get on in life. But after 14 years of Tory failure, stagnation and decline that's no longer the reality for millions of hardworking people across the country who simply cannot afford to get by. This Labour government was elected a year ago on a promise to Make Work Pay. Which is why, within weeks of taking office we told the Low Pay Commission to consider the cost of living for the first time when setting the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage. As a result, more than 3 million workers got an inflation busting boost to their pay packets from April, worth up to £1,400 a year. This helped raise living standards for the lowest paid who are the backbone of our economy. It also delivered a record cash increase for young people and apprentices – our skilled workers of tomorrow. And today, alongside my friend the Business Secretary, I will urge the Low Pay Commission to build on this success by pushing even further to make a genuine living wage a reality. We want to continue narrowing the pay gap for 18 to 20-year-olds as we move closer to setting a single rate for all adult workers in the years to come. This is our Plan for Change in action. This our promise to Make Work Pay. But it doesn't stop there. This is a government on the side of working people. You are at the heart of our landmark Employment Rights Bill, now going through Parliament. This Bill will tackle the low wages, job insecurity and poor conditions that working people face. It will bring stronger protections against unfair sackings, make sure workers get paid sick pay from day one, and stop you being threatened with dismissal for refusing to take lower pay. And it will guarantee hours and make work more flexible and family-friendly – benefits that will support business by creating a healthier, more productive workforce. Unelected Tory and Lib Dem Lords, cheered on by Nigel Farage and Reform are trying to block these rights in Parliament. But this Labour Government was elected by you to deliver them, and we will not let them get away with it. These historic reforms consulted with employers and trade unions are pro-worker, pro-business and pro-growth. So, if you are in casual work without guaranteed hours, if you are working hard on low pay but can't afford the essentials. Or if you want a country that is fairer for working people - then this Labour government is working for you. And we will keep on delivering.
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Police Scotland overtime bill hits £85,000 per day
The figures show that £28.15 million was spent on overtime for officers in 2024/25, as well as an additional £3.4 million for other police staff. It is a combined 10% rise on the previous year but has dropped from 2022/23 when there was a major policing operation following the death of the Queen. There are growing concerns about this year's bill after President Donald Trump's recent visit to Scotland as well as the demands of events such as the sold-out Oasis run at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh. SPF general secretary David Kennedy said: 'As demand on policing continues to increase – whether through major events, public safety operations, or everyday calls for service – there simply are not enough officers to meet the workload within normal working hours. 'The reality is that overtime is no longer a contingency – it has become a necessity to maintain even the most basic levels of public safety. This is unsustainable, both financially and in terms of officer wellbeing. 'Officers are regularly being asked to sacrifice their rest days, family time, and personal health to plug gaps caused by years of underinvestment in policing. 'We cannot continue to rely on a shrinking workforce to deliver a growing remit. 'The rising cost of overtime is not a budget management issue – it is a symptom of a wider crisis in police numbers that must be addressed urgently through meaningful investment in recruitment, retention, and support for serving officers.' The data was obtained by 1919 through a FOI request and showed that £42,689,162 was spent on officers' overtime in 2022/23 – the year the Queen died – falling to £25,305,080 a year later and rising again to £28,150,447 in the most recent financial year. Read More On top of that, overtime paid to staff totalled £11.24m and periods of sickness, maternity leave and annual leave not included. Scottish Labour justice spokesperson Pauline McNeill told 1919: 'These eyewatering figures lay bare the immense pressure Police Scotland is under. 'Police officer numbers have collapsed over recent years and big events have piled pressure onto remaining officers. 'There is no evidence that the Scottish Government is taking any serious steps to address this, therefore this is likely to continue. 'Increasing reliance on overtime is costing Police Scotland thousands of pounds a day and exhausting police officers. 'Police officers cannot keep being forced to go above and beyond to paper over the cracks of SNP failure – the [[SNP]] must work with Police Scotland to ensure it has the officers it needs to keep our communities safe.' Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur added: '[[SNP]] ministers pushed through the creation of a single national force with the promise of significant cost savings which could be invested elsewhere in the service. 'Instead we have seen falling officer numbers, police counters closing and officers run ragged. 'The cases that officers are being called to attend are increasingly complex and time consuming. 'One solution we have proposed to provide mental health workers to work alongside the police and help people in need. 'Officers should not be asked to work beyond their limits day after day. 'After so many years of worsening conditions, it will be hard work for the Justice Secretary to win back trust and convince officers she is in their corner.' While recruitment and deployment are operational matters for the chief constable, a Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'We are investing a record £1.64 billion for policing this year, and our continued investment enabled Police Scotland to take on more recruits in the last financial year than at any time since 2013, with further intakes planned throughout 2025. 'Scotland continues to have more police officers per capita than England and Wales and recorded crime has fallen by more than half since 1991.'
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Inside SNP's internal battle as ‘real reason' for Kate Forbes resignation revealed
Her Scottish Government critics have been described as a 'nest of vipers' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) KATE Forbes decided to quit Holyrood after tiring of being undermined by Cabinet colleagues, insiders have claimed. The Deputy First Minister revealed she will depart in May for more time with husband Alasdair and daughter Naomi. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Sign up 3 Kate Forbes will stand down as an MSP next year 3 MSP Kate Forbes plays with her daughter Naomi at nursery in Scottish Parliament Credit: Euan Cherry - Commissioned by The Times 3 Kate Forbes with husband Ali and their daughter Naomi Credit: EPA It came as a source described her critics in the Scottish Government as 'like a nest of vipers" who made her life "as difficult as possible." The Deputy First Minister chose daughter Naomi's third birthday to tell boss John Swinney she was ditching the cauldron of Holyrood to enjoy 'the precious early years of family life'. But party sources said Ms Forbes had also grown tired of being 'undermined' by cabinet colleagues who saw her as a threat to Housing Secretary Màiri McAllan — seen as a future Nats leader. One insider said: 'Perhaps if Kate hadn't been getting tripped up at every step by people who are meant to be on her side then she would have stayed on. 'But given the personal sacrifices, it is clearly not worth the effort any longer. 'The family issues are clearly a huge factor for Kate but may not have been insurmountable if other things were different.' In her letter to the First Minister, Ms Forbes, 35, said she had given 'careful thought' to her future before deciding she 'does not wish to seek re-election' at next May's Scottish Parliament elections. And she told broadcaster LBC of a lack of 'support' for parents at Holyrood. She added: 'I'm not the first mum who's also an MSP to cite motherhood as a reason for standing down.' The Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP since 2016 said: 'It is partly because of the eight-hour return drive I do every week, and the minimum five-hour drive across the constituency. Kate Forbes picks her biggest scandal of the SNP's time in power 'It's one thing to try to get home every night to see them, it's another to face the prospect of going full weeks without being there.' Another source said: 'John Swinney simply saw Kate as window dressing for a certain section of the Scottish electorate. 'Swinney has not had the courage to stand up to the likes of McAllan and [Education Secretary] Jenny Gilruth. "They will think they've won, but the SNP will be in a worse place and in a worse position electorally without Forbes.' And former SNP special adviser Geoff Aberdein said there was 'no doubt' Ms McAllan has ambitions to rival Westminster chief Stephen Flynn as Mr Swinney's heir apparent — but both lacked Ms Forbes' economic competence. Mr Aberdein told the Holyrood Sources podcast: 'I'm not saying there aren't people in the party who are viewed as credible in the business community, but nowhere near as credible as Kate Forbes. 'There will be some in the party who will be quite pleased by this decision which really frustrates me because, whether you agree with her brand of politics or not, she is a huge electoral asset.' Now a managing partner at the True North think tank, Mr Aberdein said he has been inundated with messages from business leaders lamenting Ms Forbes' departure. He said: 'She's extremely credible to the business community and that is a gap that John Swinney is going to have to fill. 'That is a major problem and I hope it is not a major recalibration, because if you don't have voices within your party that can speak to that then that is a huge weakness.' A senior Scottish Government source rejected the claims that cabinet rivalry was a factor in Ms Forbes quitting. They said: 'This is utter rubbish. Kate has set out her reasons for standing down.' And Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville dismissed claims that Ms Forbes threw in the towel because she had become disenchanted with the SNP. She said: 'Political hacks are trying to find another angle but maybe, just maybe, it's about someone doing what's best for her and her family.' Ms Forbes, who married husband Alasdair MacLennan in 2021, became the Scottish Government's youngest Finance Secretary when she succeeded shamed Derek Mackay in 2020. She came under fire for her views on gay marriage, abortion and trans rights. And she publicly opposed Nicola Sturgeon's doomed plan to allow people to legally change sex through self-declaration. Several senior Scottish Government figures rejected Ms Forbes' stance, including Mr Swinney, despite his own Christian faith. Her profile continued to rise, however, and in 2023 she narrowly lost to Humza Yousaf in a bitter SNP leadership race. Former SNP MP Joanna Cherry acknowledged the Deputy First Minister's announcement that she was stepping down to spend more time with family but said there is 'probably a bit more to it than meets the eye'. She said: 'I have the utmost respect for Kate and I think it's a bit of a disaster for the SNP.' Former SNP MP Angus MacNeill, said: 'Kate wouldn't be walking away if there was a prospect of the SNP delivering independence.' He added: 'When there is no strategy, just cluelessness, a groundhog five years at Westminster's devolved parliament ain't so appealing.' Mr Swinney said: 'I pay tribute to Kate for her invaluable contribution to public life over the last ten years. "The challenges of frontline politics are considerable, and I understand the decision she has made, although I wish it was not the case.'
