Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to increase the support provided to unemployed North Sea oil and gas workers to find new employment.

The oil and gas sector supports over 200,000 jobs and is critical to a successful energy transition. That is why the Government is providing certainty to industry through the introduction of the Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill as well as agreeing the North Sea Transition Deal with industry. This includes the development of an industry-led skills passport to enable workers to move between sectors, protecting jobs and ensuring their skills, which are vital for the transition, are not lost.

DWP supports people across the country through a range of support including face-to-face time with Work Coaches, job-search advice and more intensive employment programmes, helping those at risk of, or who have been made redundant to move back into work.

Through partnerships with local organisations DWP is able to respond to potential and proposed redundancy situations quickly and effectively, with local partners mobilised immediately to offer support and guidance to those affected. Low Value Provision (LVP) is an example of funding that can be used to supply training for Jobcentre Plus Customers, including those at risk of, or who have been made redundant.