Advertisement

  1. National

PM promises North Sea cash if Scotland stays with UK

David Cameron and Alex Salmond have clashed over the future of Scotland's oil and gas industry as they held rival Cabinet meetings within a few miles of each other. The Prime Minister warned that leaving the UK would harm the key sector.

View all 37 updates ›

UK's 'broad shoulders' to support North Sea oil industry

David Cameron has said the UK's broad shoulders will ensure investment in the North Sea oil and gas industry as he prepares to announce a range of measures to boost oil production.

The Government claims that the country's large consumer and tax base will allow it to support the industry and help exploit the increasingly hard-to-reach oil and gas reserves, as it bids to increase support for the No vote on Scottish Independence.

Energy has become the latest battleground in the Scottish Independence campaign. Credit: PA Wire

"For many years the UK has supported the North Sea oil and gas industry and we have worked together to make this an economic success the whole country can be proud of," Mr Cameron said.

"I promise we will continue to use the UK's broad shoulders to invest in this vital industry so we can attract businesses, create jobs, develop new skills in our young people and ensure we can compete in the global race."

More on this story