Last week, Chancellor Rishi Sunak visited Aberdeen to hold meetings with industry leaders in Oil & Gas. At the meeting and again at a members event in Westhill the Chancellor reaffirmed the Government's commitment to supporting the Oil & Gas industry in the North East of Scotland and the thousands of jobs it creates.
On his discussion with industry leaders the Chancellor told Energy Voice: "I wanted them to know how important it is for the UK economy, not just for the jobs it supports but also energy security it provides us.
“And looking to the future, how it will help us transition to net zero. It a great opportunity to acknowledge that and talk to people about it and what we are doing to support the industry.
During his visit he was asked about the future of the £20 million from the UK Governments levelling up fund which was connected to the central part of Union Street being pedestrianised.
Speaking to the Press and Journal the Chancellor said that “conversations” between both the UK Government and the city council would be necessary to ensure that the money is still being spent on the things that it was expected to deliver.
The grant was previously secured by the Conservative led administration however this has now been put at risk as a result of the new SNP/Lib Dem administration which decided to reopen the stretch to buses and taxis.
Conservative Group Leader, Councillor Ryan Houghton commented on the Chancellors intervention saying,
“Putting £20m of UK Government investment at risk with no coherent alternative vision for the city will be a damaging step.
“If the SNP/Lib Dem administration can’t see this, then there are huge problems for the city ahead.”
