OFFSHORE union RMT outlined a five point “crisis management” plan yesterday to rescue British jobs and infrastructure in the wake of the oil price slump to under $60 (£38.40) a barrel.

As politicians at Westminster and Holyrood lined up to offer tax cuts to rapacious North Sea oil businesses, RMT general secretary Mick Cash instead urged alternative interventions on jobs, investment, regulation, decommissioning and sustainability.

“If immediate action isn’t taken then we risk turning today’s crisis into longer term damage that would threaten the very core of our offshore industry,” Mr Cash warned.