New Anglia LEP recently convened the inaugural meeting of the region’s Oil and Gas Taskforce at Beacon Park in Great Yarmouth. Working with the East of England Energy Group (EEEGR); Brandon Lewis, MP for Great Yarmouth and Peter Aldous, MP for Waveney; local authorities; Norfolk and Suffolk Chambers of Commerce; members of the Government; and Job Centre Plus; the aim of the Taskforce is to help and advise businesses across Norfolk and Suffolk that are affected by the challenges facing the oil and gas sector.
The Taskforce commissioned energy exports Nautilus Associates to carry out market research to gain further insight into the problems local companies are facing. Nautilus will be speaking directly to local companies within the oil and gas sector, on a confidential basis, over the coming weeks.
The results of their research will be fed into the New Anglia Growth Hub, whose business advisers are ready to offer free and impartial face-to-face support. Businesses can contact the Growth Hub advisers by phone or online. The Growth Hub can be contacted by phone on 0300 333 6536 or by email: [email protected]
For any individuals affected by redundancy, Job Centre Plus is on standby to help identify alternative employment and make sure their valuable skills are not lost. Lynn Rolland, District Partnership Manager at Job Centre Plus can be contacted by phone on 01603 248667 or 07920 727154 or by email: [email protected]
The Taskforce’s goal is to make sure the long-standing oil and gas industry has a sustainable future as well as to help businesses and employees to take advantage of the opportunities available across the whole energy sector, building on our existing assets of offshore wind and decommissioning.
Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber, who attended the inaugural meeting of the Oil and Gas Taskforce said:
“The oil and gas sector is a large part of the Norfolk business community. It is important that businesses understand what support and opportunities are available to them and how they can access them. There are also decisions, which the industry needs the government to make, to help give confidence back to this sector.”
