Crunch Oil Talks

The crisis facing the oil industry will take centre stage in Aberdeen and London today.

Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls will join Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy in Aberdeen.

They'll meet oil and gas representatives to discuss what the UK and Scottish Governments need to do to help.

Meanwhile, Shadow Scottish Secretary Margaret Curran will lead the opposition's response during a debate at Westminster.

Commenting ahead of the events, Margaret Curran MP said:
 
"The crisis in Scotland's oil and gas industry is one of the biggest challenges facing Scotland's economy right now. The industry currently supports nearly 450,000 jobs across the country, with many concentrated in Aberdeen. Last week we saw job losses, and we have been warned that this could be the biggest threat to Scottish jobs since Ravenscraig shut its doors 23 years ago. Despite this, we have seen inaction from both of Scotland's Governments.
 
"Scottish Labour has already set out the action we want from the Scottish Government to alleviate the crisis. We need the UK Government to come forward with their long term plan for the industry to provide operators with some certainty, and we need the Scottish Government to set up a Resilience Fund so that Aberdeen and the surrounding areas do not have to bear the brunt of losses in the industry.
 
"Today, in Aberdeen and in London, we will challenge the Scottish and UK Governments to step up and take the action that is needed."

On Wednesday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced a new Energy Jobs Taskforce is be established to support the oil and gas sector.