THE SNP have backed a call from the oil and gas industry to end the windfall tax amid growing concerns over job losses in the North Sea.

It comes as 7000 workers, business leaders and companies called on the Treasury to change their approach in a letter handed to officials in London on Wednesday.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves kept the Energy Profits Levy (EPL) in place at the Autumn Budget, which will run until 2030.

Initially introduced under the Tories , the levy was raised by Reeves to 38% last year. As firms pay 30% corporation tax and a supplementary 10% rate on top, oil and gas companies pay 78% tax on their profits.

In its first year of operation it raised £2.6 billion. In the following 12 months, it raised £3.6bn.

The industry has repeatedly called for the tax to be scrapped,

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