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Sunak Pushes North Sea Oil, Gas in Latest Green Policy Shift
- Sunak says new drilling licenses key to UK’s energy security
- Tories want to use fears over energy costs to pressure Labour
Mobile offshore drilling units in the North Sea, UK.
Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak committed to granting hundreds of new licenses for oil and gas production in the North Sea, as his governing Conservatives intensify efforts to draw a political dividing line with the poll-leading opposition Labour Party on energy policy and the environment.
The government said the first new permits in the current licensing round will be issued in the autumn, with over 100 expected in total. It also suggested a commitment to future licensing rounds — though that would hinge on Sunak’s party holding onto power in a general election expected in 2024.