A UNION warned “promises and platitudes will not feed families” today as it called on the government to deliver a plan for North Sea oil and gas workers.

Responding to MPs on the Scottish affairs committee, GMB Scotland secretary Louise Gilmour warned skills are being lost and communities put at risk as jobs cuts in the oil and gas sector outstrip those created in green energy.

Slamming the gulf between ministers’ rhetoric on a just transition and reality, Ms Gilmour said: “The alarm bells around the so-called just transition have been ringing constantly for years but are now deafening.

“Ministers can no longer stick their fingers in their ears and shout more loudly about all the great things coming tomorrow while ignoring catastrophic job losses today.

“The MPs’ report is grim but completely unsurprising – and comes days after the Scottish and UK governments were continuing to insist they have a plan. 

“If they do, it is beyond time to share it. No matter how many times they are repeated, promises and platitudes will not feed families, heat homes or protect our communities.”