STEVENSON CONDEMNS NORTH SEA TAX HIKES

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has backed Aberdeen North MSP Brian Adam’s Parliamentary Motion regarding concern surrounding Shell’s announcement in response to Chancellor Gordon Brown’s tax hike.

Commenting on the issue, Mr Stevenson said:

“It is of great concern to hear Shell’s recent announcement that it is to cut its plans for North Sea exploration and, quite rightly, Shell is laying the blame at the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s door.  This poor decision by the Chancellor has certainly knocked the industry for six.

“Of course, this monumental decision will have a serious detrimental knock-on effect throughout the entire North Sea supply chain.  Be of no doubt that this is most certainly going to end in the loss of jobs and shall also, as a result, threaten future investment.

“I, along with my SNP colleagues therefore urge the Scottish Executive to lobby the Chancellor in an attempt to get him to review his position and find alternative means of filling the black hole in his budget.”