THE UK Government has been accused of "watering down" a commitment to base hundreds of energy civil servants in Aberdeen as it emerged just 35 additional roles will be moved to the city by 2027.
The number – revealed by Energy Voice (EV) – falls well short of the "hundreds" of Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) roles that initial media reports suggested could be moved to the Granite City.
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The reports followed a UK Government announcement in December last year outlining plans to establish a second DESNZ headquarters in the north east.
The prospect of hundreds of civil servants moving to Aberdeen was praised by Scottish Tory minister Andrew Bowie, who claimed a "second headquarters in Aberdeen will put the UK Government on the doorstep of key players in the energy sector, in a region vital for our energy security and transition to net zero".
We have another HQ! 🥳@energygovuk's second Headquarters in Aberdeen will put the UK Government on the doorstep of key players in the energy sector, in a region vital for our energy security and transition to net zero. 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/YpLHxqSMqJ
— Andrew Bowie MP (@AndrewBowie_MP) December 11, 2023
Announcing the plans, the UK Government said the move to establish a DESNZ base in Aberdeen aimed to “further strengthen the Union” and place key decision making roles in every corner of the UK.
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said the move demonstrated the UK Government’s commitment to the north east of Scotland.
But First Minister Humza Yousaf has said on Twitter/X that the latest move represents another "Westminster betrayal of the north east".
He added: "A string of broken promises of investment from the Tories and Labour risk squandering Scotland's vast renewable energy potential.
"Only @theSNP can be trusted to stand up for Scotland's energy industry and North East workers."
West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP and energy minister Bowie previously said the selection of Aberdeen for the second headquarters underlined the importance of the region in the UK’s net zero transition.
“An Aberdeen base puts those working in the department closer to those working in the crucial oil gas and renewables industries – both the companies and the tens of thousands of their workers who play a vital role in our energy supply – and I am delighted to see this happen,” he said.
A spokesperson for DESNZ confirmed that an additional 35 roles were expected to be based in Aberdeen by 2027, up from the approximately 100 departmental staff already based in the Granite City.
While the initial UK Government announcement did not specify the number of additional DESNZ roles set to be based in Aberdeen, the Financial Times reported a figure of 200 according to “people familiar with the plan”.
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While further energy civil servant roles could be relocated to Aberdeen in the future, neither DESNZ nor the Cabinet Office identified any definitive plans beyond 2027, according to EV.
Aberdeen Grampian Chamber of Commerce policy adviser Fergus Mutch said any watering down of the 200 jobs commitment would be “extremely disappointing”.
SNP MP Richard Thomson called for Bowie to come before the House of Commons to explain the situation.
He said “The news that only 35 jobs will be created in Aberdeen, despite the UK Government promising ‘hundreds’, is deeply disappointing.
“Andrew Bowie must come before the House at the earliest opportunity and correct this error, and explain why Aberdeen is once again being overlooked. The future of the north east is far too important.
“However, this is what we have come to expect from Westminster – who are happy to squander Scotland’s vast natural resources in order to prop up the books of the UK Treasury."
A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said: “Hosting our second headquarters in Aberdeen underlines the importance of north east Scotland in our net zero transition.
“While we never committed to a specific number of roles in the city, the headquarters already has over 100 staff, and our ambition is to increase this by a third by March 2027.
“An Aberdeen base puts those working in the department closer to those working in the crucial oil gas and renewables industries – both the companies and the tens of thousands of their workers who play a vital role in our energy supply.”
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