TRANSPORT union RMT demanded today that Crown Estate profits be used to secure decent contracts, pay and working conditions for offshore workers.

Profits from the Crown Estate, land officially owned by the monarch, more than doubled to £1.1 billion from 2023-24, largely driven from fees paid to secure land for offshore wind farms.

RMT says these profits could be used to improve employment conditions and promote sustainable supply chains in the offshore energy sector to support a just transition.

The union said that last September no bids had been put in by offshore wind developers in round five of “contracts for difference,” which support low-carbon electricity generation projects, creating uncertainty for thousands of offshore workers.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Offshore workers and seafarers face an uncertain future, with some still barely earning the national minimum wage and existing on insecure contracts.

“This is as a result of 14 years of inaction by the last Conservative government.

“We welcome the Labour government’s plans for a Crown Estate Bill and we are ready to work with ministers and officials in order to deliver a better deal for offshore and supply chain workers.”