Spotlight on Energy: Politicians to share their views on UK’s energy future

After five years of coalition Government, the next General Election in the UK is fast approaching. The polls predict the closest General Election result for a generation.

Oil & Gas UK, Britain’s offshore oil and gas trade association will host a Spotlight on Energy – a hustings event for parliamentary candidates from the Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats and the Scottish National Party (SNP) at its Aberdeen office on 22 April from 7.30am.

The association has today confirmed the participation of Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander; Dame Anne Begg, Labour candidate for Aberdeen South; Conservative candidate for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, Alexander Burnett; Alex Salmond, MSP for Aberdeenshire East and SNP candidate for Gordon.

The event will be chaired by Trisha O’Reilly, Oil & Gas UK’s communications director, who commented: “The business environment is severely challenging the UK oil and gas industry’s international competitiveness and its ability to attract investment.

“While the recent tax changes and the regulatory reform now coming through the OGA, coupled with the industry’s efforts to improve cost efficiency, provide the foundations for rejuvenating the business, continued collaboration between the industry, the regulator and the government, will be crucial post-election to attract investment to sustain jobs, foster technology and boost exports.”

“The hustings event will therefore provide the opportunity to hear the political parties give their perspectives of the role of oil and gas in the UK’s future energy mix as well as setting out how they would support the country’s valuable offshore oil and gas industry.”