JUST 35 jobs in the Department for Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) are set to be moved to Aberdeen in a “watering down” of previous plans which had nearly eight times as many jobs planned for the Granite City.

The UK Government outlined DESNZ relocation plans last December, including establishing a second headquarters in Aberdeen.

It came as part of wider plans to relocate 22,000 civil service roles outside of London to “further the strength of the Union”.

The move was hailed as “vital for our energy security and transition to net zero” by energy minister Andrew Bowie, while Scottish secretary Alister Jack echoed Mr Bowie’s sentiment.

Four months on, those plans have been slashed and just 35 jobs will be relocated to Aberdeen.

In response, Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce Policy Adviser Fergus Mutch said: “If the UK government is serious about pursuing a levelling-up agenda that works for all regions of the UK, then they should look seriously at relocating civil service jobs from Whitehall.

“In the case of functions relating to energy security and net zero then it makes an abundance of sense for these to be located in the North-east of Scotland — the region that will lead the UK’s energy transition and is home to the country’s world class energy sector and supply chain.

“Any watering down of the 200 jobs that were promised by the UK government would be extremely disappointing and we are keen to engage on the detail of their plans to ensure that their original commitment is honoured.”