Scottish Conservatives join call for North Sea action

The Scottish Conservatives have called for progress to be made with the North Sea. Scottish Conservatives Leader, Ruth Davidson has suggested that the budget gives tax incentives to boost stability and encourage investment in the area.

Davidson met with Oil and Gas UK last week to listen to their concerns. Whilst the UK Government began to reduce some taxes at the end of last year, Scottish Conservatives are calling for further reductions.

Davidson said:

“We are facing an emergency in the North Sea, and that has to be reflected in the budget. I have spoken to the Chancellor about this and he fully understands exactly what’s at stake, and precisely what’s needed to secure the North Sea’s future.” “We need to send out a major signal that the North Sea is open for business. With moves to secure its future, we can spur on investment and make sure this vital industry has the confident future the local economy and the wider UK needs it to.” “An improvement in the tax regime won’t solve all the oil industry’s problems, we also need a fresh approach in the way it does business. But if both the UK and Scottish Governments work together with industry partners, I’m confident that there will be a positive future for oil and gas in Scotland.”