OIL and gas producers are being unfairly hit by taxes putting vital investment in the sector at risk, warns Malcolm Webb, Oil & Gas UK’s chief executive.

He said: “Evidence of the threat from the falling oil price to UK investment and jobs is mounting daily with oil and gas companies cutting exploration and capital budgets and reviewing headcounts.”

Webb said the government’s promise to simplify tax allowances in the 2015 Budget does not go far enough to help the energy industry.

He added: “We are encouraged to see a growing political and industry consensus around the now pressing need for more fundamental and urgent changes to the tax regime. With a significant amount of UK oil and gas production not even covering costs at a $50 oil price, the industry cannot carry the burden of a tax rate between 60 and 80%.

“The credible and reasonable response for the Chancellor in his upcoming Budget, assuming the oil price has not recovered by then, is the abolition of the 30% supplementary charge on corporation tax, which was introduced and then increased in direct response to rising oil prices, most recently in 2011. This would still leave oil and gas producers paying corporation tax at 30%, a tax rate 50% higher than the rest of British industry.

“In parallel, the Oil and Gas Authority must be rapidly resourced with the right capability and capacity to swiftly implement the recommendations of the Wood Review. The industry is resolutely focused on tackling the cost and efficiency challenge it faces to improve the competitiveness of North Sea operations. Oil & Gas UK is committed to playing a constructive part in this important process of reform and looks forward to working with governments and stakeholders to that end.”