North Sea Plea

The Scottish Conservatives want the Chancellor to act now to ensure a prosperous future for North Sea oil.

Ruth Davidson has urged George Osborne to 'go further' in the upcoming budget.

The MSP says with the proper tax regime, billion more barrels of oil could be extracted.

She says it's right people want to know what the UK Government plans to do about the problems facing the oil and gas industry.

Ministers reduced some North Sea company taxes in December, however they're being urged to make further changes when the budget is announced on March 18th.
 
Writing in today’s Press and Journal, Ms Davidson said: “The Chancellor acted in December to reduce some taxes on the industry.
 
“But given the emergency we are facing, he must go further.
 
“We need to send out a big signal that the North Sea is open for business.
 
“So I’ve been pressing George Osborne in the last few weeks to ensure that, when he unveils his budget in March, he does just that.
 
“The SNP likes to pretend that the UK Government doesn’t listen to these issues, but I know they do.
 
“When any key industrial sector speaks with one voice – as is happening now – ministers sit up and take notice.
 
“I feel increasingly optimistic that we’ll get a positive message next month when the Chancellor stands up at the despatch box.
 
“However, let’s also be clear that a tax cut won’t be the panacea to the North Sea’s problems.
 
“If we are going to really ensure that the North Sea has the viable future we all want, then we need to see a fresh approach to the way it does business.
 
“We’re facing a perfect storm in the North Sea.
 
“And for all the problems we face, I’m grateful for one thing – that we weren’t taken in by the SNP’s claims that Scotland would be kept afloat by a fake ‘second oil boom’.
 
“I’m confident that we’re better off facing these choppy waters in an altogether steadier ship.”