One of the UK's biggest unions has hit out at Sir Keir Starmer's energy plan warning him that more than £6.6bn must be committed until the end of the decade to save 30,000 Scottish jobs.
Unite's general secretary Sharon Graham added that Labour could become the "heroes of the hour" should the party commit to the spending plan, equivalent to at least £1.1bn a year for six years, claiming it would create 6,000 additional jobs as well as saving five times as many.
It was revealed on Friday that the union is set to target Labour in six Scottish seats - including Aberdeenshire North and Moray and Aberdeen North - with a 'no ban without a plan' campaign, calling on Sir Keir to re-consider its current policy on banning new oil licenses.
The campaign, which will cost at least £100,000, will see funds earmarked for Labour diverted into pressuring the party.
Ms Graham said: "We're saying to Labour it's irresponsible to talk about shutting licenses down because one of the things we need is time, we need to build the infrastructure.
"So 30,000 jobs will go from oil and gas by 2030. They'll be gone. If they grasp the next nettle and say they are going to invest properly in Scotland we could have an extension of jobs.
"You either make these choices, or you don't make these choices. And that's why I am absolutely committed that this plan has to be adopted.
"There must be a plan now to save these jobs. Communities will be devastated. It’s not just the oil and gas areas, it’s the surrounding areas too.
She added: "Workers desperately need a labour government. Unite recognises that. But it is right for unions to argue where Labour’s offer can be better. It’s time to put in place a viable plan with workers at its heart."
Politics holding investment back
Industry analysis from Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) seen by The Herald says that of £200bn that could be invested in oil, gas and renewable activity, around £160bn remains unspent.
The report says that economic policies is limiting investment in UK energy, while investment projects worldwide continue to grow thanks to "more predictable" government support.
That's also meant supply chain resources are attracted away from the UK as "more sustainable returns and work durations are on offer elsewhere", including the Middle East, Africa and the US.
The report added that "policy support and certainty is needed to give supply chain companies the confidence to invest", while the UK remains at the "back of the queue for building energy transition projects, risking economic growth, jobs, and emissions reductions".
David Whitehouse, CEO of Offshore Energies UK, said: "The UK needs to have a sign above its door which clearly says it is open for offshore energy business.
"Big investment is needed in projects and in the supply chain’s capacity.
"Policy support that spans political divides, from national and devolved governments, is needed to give companies the confidence to make decisions now."