Tuesday 30 May 2023

Labour could ban new North Sea oil and gas projects

If Keir Starmer is elected Prime Minister, the Labour government will reportedly issue a ban on new North Sea oil and gas projects.

The party leader is expected to make the announcement during his visit to Scotland next month, according to reports by the Sunday Times.

The paper quotes a source from within the Labour party, stating: “We are against the granting of new licences for oil and gas in the North Sea. They will do nothing to cut bills, as the Tories have acknowledged.”

Starmer has been clear in his stance on net zero and ensuring that future policy creates green jobs and a renewables-based energy economy.

The Labour source is then quoted as saying: “They undermine our energy security and would drive a coach and horse through our climate targets.

“But Labour would continue to use existing oil and gas wells over the coming decades and manage them sustainably as we transform the UK into a clean energy superpower.”

Under the current government, new oil and gas exploration is being supported – but the giving out of licenses is reserved for Westminster only.