Mr Jonathan Brash

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Twigg. At the heart of every major economic and industrial decision should be one simple question: what does this mean for British workers? Will it create good jobs, develop skills, strengthen industry and bring investment to communities that are too often left behind? Will it give the next generation the chance to earn a decent living through skilled work? That is the British worker test, and it is my view that approving Rosebank passes it. First, on energy security, we cannot surrender domestic production while continuing to consume imported oil and gas. That is not energy independence; it is an industrial retreat that does not pass the British worker test. Secondly, on jobs, Rosebank represents a major investment opportunity that will bring thousands of jobs. Behind those figures lie real people—engineers, welders, electricians, technicians, offshore workers and those employed throughout the supply chain. We cannot rebuild our industrial economy by turning our backs on the industries capable of sustaining it. Thirdly, it is about our communities. I represent Hartlepool, which is a town with a proud industrial heritage and a future that should be built around engineering, advanced manufacturing and energy. We are pursuing nuclear investment, developing our skills base and working to attract industries that will create opportunities for the future. Jobs in Hartlepool rely on renewables, they rely on nuclear and they rely on oil and gas. That is my frustration with this debate: too often it is about political ideology. Whether it is the representatives of Reform who would destroy renewable jobs, or the Greens who would destroy nuclear jobs and oil and gas jobs, that all means job destruction in my community. Instead, we should do it all. That protects Hartlepool jobs, it protects jobs throughout this country, and it passes the British worker test.