Labour slams Rishi Sunak’s plans to boost North Sea oil and gas output

NICHOLAS EARL

RISHI SUNAK’s energy policies are “weak and confused” and will “not take a penny off bills”, shadow climate secretary and Labour frontbencher Ed Miliband has warned.

Reacting to the government’s decision yesterday to support 100 new oil and gas licences, alongside fresh approvals for carbon capture projects, the Labour frontbencher argued the proposals will do “nothing for our energy security” and “drive a coach and horses” through the UK’s climate commitments.

“Every family and business in Britain has paid the price of the Conservatives’ failed energy policy which has left Britain as the worst hit country in western Europe during the energy crisis – and Rishi Sunak is making the same mistake all over again,” he said.

Miliband confirmed Labour’s continued ambition to make the UK a “green energy superpower”, with the party planning to scrap new oil and gas licences if it wins power.