Eastern Powerhouse backs plans for oil and gas licenses despite environmental objections
The legislation's expected to be revealed in full later today, as part of the first King's Speech in 72 years
Last updated 7th Nov 2023
An environmentalist from the East, and a regional business group in the region are split over the Government's plans to grant new oil and gas contracts in the North Sea.
The legislation is expected to be revealed in full later today as part of the first King's Speech in 72 years, which will outline Rishi Sunak's wider plans for his government.
"Government should be intervening to help with that"
Dr Andrew Boswell is an environmental scientist and activist in Norfolk:
"It's going to take us to the brink of catastrophic climate change and the impact of that will be far more costly, than what this will bring. The Government talks of this bring prosperity to the UK- they're going to bring the opposite by going down this route.
"What the Government need to be doing is working out why these contracts with off-shore winds are having problems, now. It's a difficult financial market for them and the Government should be intervening to help with that."
"The East can take advantage of Hydrogen and eventually move away from oil and gas"
James Palmer leads the Eastern Powerhouse business group:
"We want to see the energy sector linked into the rest of the economy, here. We also want to see a regional educational policy that gives a pathway to those in rural and deprived areas, to get involved in the industry. We know with Sizewell C that there's going to be a significant number of job vacancies.
"An energy policy that delivers for now and embraces the whole of the economy and joins it up with the energy sector. Plus, planning the future over the next 20 to 30 years, to see how the East can take advantage of Hydrogen and eventually move away from oil and gas."
What's the Prime Minister said on this?
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:
"We have all witnessed how Putin has manipulated and weaponised energy – disrupting supply and stalling growth in countries around the world.
"Now more than ever, it’s vital that we bolster our energy security and capitalise on that independence to deliver more affordable, clean energy to British homes and businesses.
"Even when we’ve reached net zero in 2050, a quarter of our energy needs will come from oil and gas. But there are those who would rather that it come from hostile states than from the supplies we have here at home.
"We’re choosing to power up Britain from Britain and invest in crucial industries such as carbon capture and storage, rather than depend on more carbon intensive gas imports from overseas – which will support thousands of skilled jobs, unlock further opportunities for green technologies and grow the economy."