On Monday, the Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond strongly advised the British government to ease on the “smash and grab” raid on North Sea oil revenues.

Scotland’s National Party Leader criticized the 2.3 billion euro or $3.3 billion recently announced additional tax on the North Sea oil production, which is a chief industry in the country.

Salmond warned that additional North Sea oil tax could possibly cost 10,000 jobs. His advice came as he arrived in London. He said he would meet with Chancellor George Osborne, the finance minister in Britain, to discuss alternative options on Monday.

The 55-year-old pro-independence leader said that the problem with adding 2 billion euro to the finance minister’s expected 11 billion euro oil revenues in Scotland this year could potentially cost more jobs.

Salmond believed that the smash and grab raid would eventually put weight on future chancellors as it would lead to a significant cut in investment. He wanted to tell the minister that there is another way to obtain more money, yet retain most of the jobs.

The leader is also expected to meet with ministers and push for the Edinburgh parliament to gain greater economic powers for Holyrood during the two-day allotted visit.

Alex Salmond was elected the fourth First Minister on Scotland in May 2007 when his political party won 69 of 129 seats on the May 6 elections. The Scottish National Party secured the first overall majority in Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland.