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Offshore Industry: North Sea

Asked by Harriet CrossConservativeDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled Answered 9 June 2025UIN 57049

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what information his Department holds on the (a) onshore and (b) offshore workforce in the North Sea oil and gas sector in (i) July 2024 and (ii) March 2025.

Answered by Michael Shanks

The Department does not hold its own estimates for the offshore or onshore North Sea oil and gas sector workforce. According to ONS data[1], direct jobs in oil and gas extraction fell by around a third between 2014 and 2023, despite ongoing domestic licensing and production.

As Britain becomes a clean energy superpower, the Government is determined to create new high-quality jobs to ensure a phased and responsible transition in the North Sea.

This is vital for delivering the best outcomes for workers and communities, energy security, and sustainable economic growth.

[1] ONS Business Register and Employment Survey

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/datasets/industry235digitsicbusinessregisterandemploymentsurveybrestable2(opens in a new tab)

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