economy
Exploit last North Sea oil and gas or risk mass job losses, Andy Burnham urged
British Chamber of Commerce boss Shevaun Haviland says transition to clean energy could be handled better
TL;DR
- British Chambers of Commerce director Shevaun Haviland urges Andy Burnham to exploit remaining North Sea oil and gas.
- Decision on Jackdaw and Rosebank fields likely to fall to a Burnham administration.
- Current practice of importing liquid gas is more expensive and less environmentally friendly than using domestic assets.
- Transition to clean energy, like offshore wind, is not creating enough jobs to offset losses from the decline of oil and gas industries.
- Concerns exist that regions like Aberdeen could suffer mass unemployment similar to the coalmines.
- Businesses are facing a 'cost-of-doing-business crisis,' with costs rising by 70% in a decade.
- High business costs are deterring investment, leading to a vicious cycle of low growth and tax income.
- Specific concerns include business rates and the cost of energy.
- Haviland advises against additional taxes on business, advocating for economic growth as the way out of fiscal issues.
- Businesses do not want to reopen discussions about reversing Brexit or rejoining a customs union, seeking pragmatic solutions instead.
- Desire for completed negotiations on an agrifood deal, youth exchange program, and alignment with the EU's carbon border adjustment mechanism.
- Burnham's record in Manchester is cited as a positive example of public and private investment.
- Burnham previously stated to Haviland that he is 'pro-business'.