VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Offshore Industry: Employment

Asked by Harriet CrossConservativeDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled Answered 4 December 2025UIN 96006

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an estimate of the change in the number of jobs in the North Sea oil and gas sector from (a) operator and (b) supply chain companies in each year between 2026 and 2030.

Answered by Michael Shanks

Robert Gordon University estimates that by the early 2030s, the UK oil and gas workforce will be between 57,000 and 71,000, down from 115,000 in 2024.

The natural decline of North Sea oil and gas has seen more than 70,000 jobs lost in the last decade. The Government published its North Sea Future Plan (26 November), setting out how we will support our North Sea supply chains, protect current jobs, and secure the next generation of good jobs.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim