Latest news with #PeterByrne
South Wales Argus
7 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Government-backed scheme to transition oil and gas workers opens
The pilot will help about 200 current or former workers in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire with support and funding for training courses, in a move energy minister Michael Shanks said would 'help deliver a fair and prosperous transition'. 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.
Glasgow Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Government-backed scheme to transition oil and gas workers opens
The pilot will help about 200 current or former workers in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire with support and funding for training courses, in a move energy minister Michael Shanks said would 'help deliver a fair and prosperous transition'. 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.
Western Telegraph
7 days ago
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Government-backed scheme to transition oil and gas workers opens
The pilot will help about 200 current or former workers in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire with support and funding for training courses, in a move energy minister Michael Shanks said would 'help deliver a fair and prosperous transition'. 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.
Glasgow Times
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
I'm not going to change – Tyrrell Hatton comfortable with his angry reputation
The world number 23, who finished fourth at last month's US Open, has earned a reputation for expletive-laden rounds when things are not going to plan. He has spent plenty of time defending his conduct, but there was little evidence of bad behaviour as he carded a 69 to move to five under and three off the lead in The Open at Royal Portrush. An excellent tee shot from Hatton. It sets up the birdie that moves him to six-under. — The Open (@TheOpen) July 18, 2025 Asked whether he had toned it down on Friday, the LIV golfer said: 'I was still pretty vocal. Maybe I'm just having to do it away from the microphone.' Offered the chance to give an example, he added: 'No, it'll get me in trouble. It was pretty negative stuff. 'I'm not going to change. I'm 33. I think that ship has sailed, to be honest. It's just how I am, how I play. 'I've always felt like even though I can be losing my s***, I can get over the next shot and still have a clear mind of what I'm still trying to achieve on that shot. 'Although from the outside it looks like I'm completely gone, in my own mind I still know where I'm at.' Hatton shot a second-round 69 to move to five under for the tournament (Peter Byrne/PA) He took three to get on the driveable par-four fifth and made bogey, his only dropped shot on the front nine, and that had the potential to set him off but he held it together with a bounce-back birdie and another, his third, on the ninth. Hatton birdied the short 13th but then missed the green at the next for his other dropped shot, before parring his way home. 'It felt like a pretty frustrating day. I didn't hit it particularly close on many holes,' he added. 'I missed the green with a lob wedge into 14, which after a perfect tee shot was frustrating and obviously ended up making bogey. That was a bit of a shame, but it's been a solid couple of days. 'I'm happy with a few parts of my game. I'd like to be in the fairway more this weekend and hitting it a bit closer, but we'll see how we go.'
Scotsman
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Scotsman
Afghan data breach: Life-threatening error shows why we must all take cyber security seriously
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... As mistakes go, it was on a scale almost impossible to comprehend. A UK defence official accidentally released personal information about thousands of Afghans who had worked with British forces, thereby putting their lives at risk from the vengeful Taliban. In February 2022, the official, who was attempting to check details in the files, emailed a dataset that they thought contained just 150 rows of information to someone outside the secure government system. In fact, there were more than 33,000 rows. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Ministry of Defence only became aware of the breach in August 2023, when excerpts were posted anonymously on Facebook. Scrambling to prevent loss of life, the then Conservative government set up a secret £850 million scheme to bring thousands of Afghans to the UK and took out a super-injunction to prevent media reports in the hope that the Taliban would not notice. Computers have made life much easier, but they can also turn a simple mistake into one with enormous consequences (Picture: Peter Byrne) | PA Yesterday, after the injunction was lifted, Defence Secretary John Healey offered a "sincere apology on behalf of the British Government" for the data breach. About 6,900 people are expected to be relocated to the UK by the end of the scheme. There are many aspects to this story – the brutality of the Taliban first and foremost, the use of a super-injunction to suppress free speech and the absence of democratic scrutiny of a secret government scheme. But it feels like ministers did their best to respond to a difficult and dangerous situation. However, one lesson that we should all take from this is how computers can amplify simple human errors countless times over. In days gone by, a letter containing a few pages of sensitive information may have been sent out in error, but not 33,000. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad According to the Nation Cyber Security Centre, 'whether you're working for critical infrastructure making sure the lights stay on, or simply setting up your child's phone, the UK's cyber security is now a shared responsibility where everyone needs to play a part'.
