Taskforce scrapping a threat to ‘vital support’

Scrapping the jobs taskforce risks removing the downturn from the spotlight and denying the sector the help it desperately needs, Aberdeen City Council’s co-leader warned.

Jenny Laing insisted that there was still “considerable work to be done” to overcome the challenges the north-east faces and the move could be counterproductive.

She said: “We were obviously delighted when the Scottish Government agreed to set up the taskforce and have worked with them to try to provide support to individuals and business affected by the downturn.

“However we believe there is still considerable work to be done in this area given figures released by Oil and Gas UK indicating the industry continues to face severe challenges and further significant job losses over the next year.

“This, coupled with the problems caused by the disproportionate business rates increases in Aberdeen and the north-east, means the local economy will still require significant and targeted support from Scottish Government.

“It is clearly a matter for the first minister and the Scottish Government to determine how ongoing support for the oil and gas industry is delivered but we are concerned that today’s announcement may mean that this issue is removed from the spotlight and we fear the vital support the industry still requires will not be forthcoming.”