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Harbour Energy<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\nThe UK’s largest oil and gas producer has said it expects to cut a further 250 jobs in Aberdeen.<\/p>\n Harbour Energy said it had launched a review of its UK operations and had to take “difficult steps”, blaming regulation and “punitive” government measures.<\/p>\n The UK government said its thoughts were with any workers affected by the “commercial decision”.<\/p>\n Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce (AGCC) described the news as a “devastating blow”.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Harbour Energy had previously announced the loss of 350 UK onshore jobs in 2023.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Harbour Energy has been a vocal critic of the Energy Profits Levy, known as the windfall tax, introduced by the Conservative UK government in 2022 and extended after Labour came to power last year. <\/p>\n The UK government said at the time it was strengthening the tax to ensure North Sea oil and gas producers contribute their fair share towards the energy transition. <\/p>\n It has also pointed to its decision to headquarter Great British Energy in Aberdeen and establish a national wealth fund to help unlock investment in renewables. <\/p>\n But Harbour Energy has claimed it faces excessive taxation which has wiped out profits and undermined investment in its North Sea operations. <\/p>\n Scott Barr, managing director of the firm’s UK business, said a review was expected to result in 250 job losses in Aberdeen – about a quarter of its workforce in the city – in addition to the 350 job cuts previously announced.<\/p>\n He said: “The review is unfortunately necessary to align staffing levels with lower levels of investment, due mainly to the government’s ongoing punitive fiscal position and a challenging regulatory environment.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The issue was raised at Prime Minister’s Questions, with SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn accusing Sir Keir Starmer of “destroying jobs in Scotland”.<\/p>\n He said: “That’s 250 jobs in my constituency gone in the blink of an eye and do you know who they blame, Mr Speaker? They blame the policies of the Labour Party.”<\/p>\n The prime minister said “nobody wants to see job losses”, but accused the SNP of trying to “distract from their disastrous record” after nearly two decades in government.<\/p>\n The Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch also raised the Harbour Energy job losses.<\/p>\n The prime minister accused her of being a “climate defeatist”.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n A UK government spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with any workers affected by this commercial decision, and we will do everything in our power to support workers and communities.<\/p>\n “The government has reformed the Energy Profits Levy to support investment and give industry certainty and stability.”<\/p>\n Russell Borthwick, chief executive of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: “This is a devastating blow for the 250-plus families directly affected – and I fear it is just the tip of the iceberg.”<\/p>\n In March, the UK government launched a consultation on plans to replace the windfall tax on the profits of energy companies when it comes to an end in 2030.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![](\"https:\/\/static.files.bbci.co.uk\/bbcdotcom\/web\/20250428-123652-7bc49a8f4-web-2.20.1-1\/grey-placeholder.png\")
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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n‘Tip of iceberg’<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n