Given that every UK household will contribute to offshore oil and gas decommissioning work for decades through UK taxpayer subsidies, it is not unreasonable for those same taxpayers to expect prosperity for UK communities in return said GMB (www.gmb.org.uk) — the union for workers in the offshore supply chain — as it welcomed new measures introduced by the OGA (Oil and Gas Authority) designed to get the best value for money out of future projects.

However, the union said the Government must ensure that yards in Scotland and the North East of England do not miss out on the opportunities presented by decommissioning.

GMB national officer Ross Murdoch said: “There are compelling socio-economic arguments for this work to be awarded to UK yards, rather than going abroad.

“The Treasury will benefit through taxation and NI payments made if the work is undertaken by UK yards, coupled with the multiplier effect of UK workers spending in their local communities.”