Labour orders 'immediate ban' on new North Sea oil drilling

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Labour has reportedly ordered an immediate ban on new drilling in the North Sea.Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has told regulators not to approve a new round of drilling which was expected in the coming weeks.Labour had said before the general election that it would not revoke existing oil and gas licences but would stop any new ones from being issued.The Telegraph has reported that former Labour leader Miliband has overruled his own officials with the decision and risks sparking legal action.Energy companies have spent millions of pounds preparing their bids.The decision appears to be unusual as the confirming of licences tends to be an apolitical process.Some 76 oil and gas companies submitted applications as part of the 33rd offshore oil and gas licensing round initiated by the Tories in autumn 2023.Bids for up to 35 areas of the North Sea were still awaiting a decision from the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) when the election was called.In a statement late on Wednesday, Miliband's spokesman said: “We will not issue new licences to explore new fields, and will not revoke existing oil and gas licences.

We will manage existing fields for the entirety of their lifespan.”Environmental experts say the use of oil and gas is a key contributor to climate change.Labour also has plans to extend the windfall tax on the bumper profits made by energy giants.

This is opposed by the SNP.The new Government is still to announce the location of its publicly-owned energy company, called GB Energy.The Record has asked the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero for comment.Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top