Asked by: Brian Leishman (Labour - Alloa and Grangemouth)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues regarding the impact of a safe weight limit on workers in the offshore oil and gas industry.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)
Offshore Energies United Kingdom (OEUK) is a trade association that represents the United Kingdom’s (UK) offshore energy industry. OEUK introduced an industry-led Safe Weight Limit Policy (SWLP) for offshore workers on oil and gas installations in order to manage the risk associated with exceeding specified weight limits and maximum lifting capacities on the UK’s search and rescue helicopters. The risks around safe weight limits were raised by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
In 2025, OEUK held a workshop with member companies, subject matter experts across aviation, marine and emergency response disciplines, trade unions, trade associations, HM Coastguard and helicopter operators, to discuss and identify the hazards and risks presented by a heavier workforce. OEUK provided HSE with a copy of the final draft of its guidance on its Safe Weight Limit Policy once its members had agreed to implement it.
HSE was first made aware that industry were looking to introduce a safe weight limit in June 2025. HSE provided comment to OEUK on technical aspects of the guidance relating to occupational health legislation and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) standards. HSE, along with other industry stakeholders, was kept informed of the intention to implement an industry policy on safe weight limit, through regular attendance at a number of industry forums. HSE was not a consultee on the decision to implement the safe weight limit and was not involved in the development of the policy.
Asked by: Brian Leishman (Labour - Alloa and Grangemouth)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when his department was informed that employers in the offshore oil and gas industry were seeking to introduce a safe weight limit on offshore oil and gas workers.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)
Offshore Energies United Kingdom (OEUK) is a trade association that represents the United Kingdom’s (UK) offshore energy industry. OEUK introduced an industry-led Safe Weight Limit Policy (SWLP) for offshore workers on oil and gas installations in order to manage the risk associated with exceeding specified weight limits and maximum lifting capacities on the UK’s search and rescue helicopters. The risks around safe weight limits were raised by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
In 2025, OEUK held a workshop with member companies, subject matter experts across aviation, marine and emergency response disciplines, trade unions, trade associations, HM Coastguard and helicopter operators, to discuss and identify the hazards and risks presented by a heavier workforce. OEUK provided HSE with a copy of the final draft of its guidance on its Safe Weight Limit Policy once its members had agreed to implement it.
HSE was first made aware that industry were looking to introduce a safe weight limit in June 2025. HSE provided comment to OEUK on technical aspects of the guidance relating to occupational health legislation and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) standards. HSE, along with other industry stakeholders, was kept informed of the intention to implement an industry policy on safe weight limit, through regular attendance at a number of industry forums. HSE was not a consultee on the decision to implement the safe weight limit and was not involved in the development of the policy.
Asked by: Brian Leishman (Labour - Alloa and Grangemouth)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if an assessment has been made of the effect that the introduction of a safe weight limit on offshore oil and gas workers from 1 November this year will have on the objectives in the (a) North Sea Future and (b) Clean Energy Jobs Plans.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)
Offshore Energies United Kingdom (OEUK) is a trade association that represents the United Kingdom’s (UK) offshore energy industry. OEUK introduced an industry-led Safe Weight Limit Policy (SWLP) for offshore workers on oil and gas installations in order to manage the risk associated with exceeding specified weight limits and maximum lifting capacities on the UK’s search and rescue helicopters. The risks around safe weight limits were raised by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
In 2025, OEUK held a workshop with member companies, subject matter experts across aviation, marine and emergency response disciplines, trade unions, trade associations, HM Coastguard and helicopter operators, to discuss and identify the hazards and risks presented by a heavier workforce. OEUK provided HSE with a copy of the final draft of its guidance on its Safe Weight Limit Policy once its members had agreed to implement it.
HSE was first made aware that industry were looking to introduce a safe weight limit in June 2025. HSE provided comment to OEUK on technical aspects of the guidance relating to occupational health legislation and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) standards. HSE, along with other industry stakeholders, was kept informed of the intention to implement an industry policy on safe weight limit, through regular attendance at a number of industry forums. HSE was not a consultee on the decision to implement the safe weight limit and was not involved in the development of the policy.
Asked by: Brian Leishman (Labour - Alloa and Grangemouth)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has had with (a) trade unions, (b) employers and (c) Cabinet colleagues regarding the introduction of a safe weight limit on offshore oil and gas workers.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)
Offshore Energies United Kingdom (OEUK) is a trade association that represents the United Kingdom’s (UK) offshore energy industry. OEUK introduced an industry-led Safe Weight Limit Policy (SWLP) for offshore workers on oil and gas installations in order to manage the risk associated with exceeding specified weight limits and maximum lifting capacities on the UK’s search and rescue helicopters. The risks around safe weight limits were raised by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
In 2025, OEUK held a workshop with member companies, subject matter experts across aviation, marine and emergency response disciplines, trade unions, trade associations, HM Coastguard and helicopter operators, to discuss and identify the hazards and risks presented by a heavier workforce. OEUK provided HSE with a copy of the final draft of its guidance on its Safe Weight Limit Policy once its members had agreed to implement it.
HSE was first made aware that industry were looking to introduce a safe weight limit in June 2025. HSE provided comment to OEUK on technical aspects of the guidance relating to occupational health legislation and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) standards. HSE, along with other industry stakeholders, was kept informed of the intention to implement an industry policy on safe weight limit, through regular attendance at a number of industry forums. HSE was not a consultee on the decision to implement the safe weight limit and was not involved in the development of the policy.
Asked by: Brian Leishman (Labour - Alloa and Grangemouth)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when his department was informed by employers that the industry was seeking to introduce a safe weight limit on offshore oil and gas workers being transported to installations by helicopter.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)
Offshore Energies United Kingdom (OEUK) is a trade association that represents the United Kingdom’s (UK) offshore energy industry. OEUK introduced an industry-led Safe Weight Limit Policy (SWLP) for offshore workers on oil and gas installations in order to manage the risk associated with exceeding specified weight limits and maximum lifting capacities on the UK’s search and rescue helicopters. The risks around safe weight limits were raised by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
In 2025, OEUK held a workshop with member companies, subject matter experts across aviation, marine and emergency response disciplines, trade unions, trade associations, HM Coastguard and helicopter operators, to discuss and identify the hazards and risks presented by a heavier workforce. OEUK provided HSE with a copy of the final draft of its guidance on its Safe Weight Limit Policy once its members had agreed to implement it.
HSE was first made aware that industry were looking to introduce a safe weight limit in June 2025. HSE provided comment to OEUK on technical aspects of the guidance relating to occupational health legislation and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) standards. HSE, along with other industry stakeholders, was kept informed of the intention to implement an industry policy on safe weight limit, through regular attendance at a number of industry forums. HSE was not a consultee on the decision to implement the safe weight limit and was not involved in the development of the policy.
Asked by: Brian Leishman (Labour - Alloa and Grangemouth)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when her department was informed that employers in the offshore oil and gas industry were seeking to introduce a safe weight limit for offshore oil and gas workers being transported to installations by helicopter.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency was engaged in discussions on the issue from 2023 and on 1 October 2025, Offshore Energies UK formally notified the MCA of its intention to introduce the Safe Weight Limit Policy from 1 November 2025, with full implementation by 1 November 2026.
The Civil Aviation Authority does not have a regulation that specifically sets a weight limit for passengers transported by helicopter. Helicopter operators are responsible for carrying out their own safety assessments, and decisions on safe operating weight limits are a matter for their operational discretion.
Asked by: Brian Leishman (Labour - Alloa and Grangemouth)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, will he support the resolution renewing MINURSO’s mandate in Western Sahara addressing the need for Morocco to allow the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to visit the occupied territory.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Honourable Member to the answer given on 17 September 2025 to Question 74745.
Asked by: Brian Leishman (Labour - Alloa and Grangemouth)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, will he call for MINURSO to monitor and report to the Security Council on human rights in the parts of Westen Sahara controlled by both Morocco and the POLISARIO Front.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Honourable Member to the answer given on 17 September 2025 to Question 74745.
Asked by: Brian Leishman (Labour - Alloa and Grangemouth)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans he and his ministers have to build on the meeting last year and meet with the Polisario Representative.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Following a meeting with the Polisario Front hosted by the former Minister for the Middle East and North Africa in August 2025, officials have continued to meet with them, doing so most recently in London on 17 September and in New York on 8 October. We continue to engage with all relevant parties in support of the UN-led process to achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution, based on compromise, which conforms with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including the principle of respect for self-determination.
Asked by: Brian Leishman (Labour - Alloa and Grangemouth)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on signing the Eurofima treaty.
Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip
The Secretary of State has not held discussions with the Secretary of State for Transport on EUROFIMA.