North Sea Oil

New oil and gas fields will not protect British households from volatile international gas prices, cannot make us energy secure and will worsen the climate crisis. I am therefore proud to have been elected on a manifesto that pledged not to issue new licences to explore new oil and gas fields. I welcome that the Government has set out its proposals for implementing this pledge.

I believe we need a fair, orderly and prosperous transition in the North Sea, in line with our climate and legal obligations, as we drive towards a future of energy security, lower bills and good, long-term jobs. So I am pleased at the steps the Government has taken to put in place the foundations of the area’s clean energy future. This includes establishing Great British Energy with its headquarters in Aberdeen, delivering a record-breaking renewables auction, investing in Britain’s carbon capture and hydrogen industries and launching a ‘skills passport’ for offshore workers.

On Rosebank specifically, the Court of Session has ruled that the last Government granted development consent for the Rosebank oil field unlawfully, as it did not consider emissions generated through the burning of the oil and gas extracted. I am pleased that the Government has responded decisively to this judgment and issued new guidance which will ensure that the full effects of fossil fuel extraction are considered in future consenting decisions for oil and gas projects.

Rosebank’s developers will now have to seek fresh approval from the Government, which will consider the significance of the project’s environmental impact, alongside balancing relevant factors on a case-by-case basis. I can assure you that I will continue to monitor developments.

More widely, I completely agree with the need to focus on real solutions for Britain’s energy system, like scaling up renewables and insulating homes. That is why I support the Government’s mission to deliver clean power by 2030 and to implement a warm homes plan to upgrade the energy efficiency of millions of homes. I am committed to doing the right thing for the climate while ensuring a just transition in the North Sea.