The Scottish secretary has defended the UK Government’s support for the oil and gas sector as the chancellor comes under increasing pressure to lower taxes for the industry.

Douglas Alexander said the Government was providing investment in renewables to help the long-term future of the North East.

It comes as the Scottish Conservatives called on Rachel Reeves not to wait until 2030 to axe the windfall tax.

On a visit to Aberdeen on Thursday, Alexander would not be drawn on calls to axe the tax but insisted the UK Government is backing all parts of the energy sector.

During the visit, he announced more than £17m of investment in the Energy Transition Zone, an area of the city earmarked to grow renewables.

The Scottish secretary told STV News: “We’ve relied on North Sea energy for the l

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