UK Parliament blocks new North Sea oil and gas licences

The House of Commons voted 323‑108 to reject a Conservative amendment to the King’s Speech that sought approval for new drilling licences at the Rosebank oil field and the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea. The amendment conflicted with the government’s manifesto pledge not to issue new exploration licences and its Energy Independence Bill, which emphasises offshore wind, hydrogen and grid upgrades.

Shadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho warned that shutting down domestic production would increase reliance on higher‑emission gas imports from Qatar, the United States or Norway, calling the policy “the single greatest act of industrial self‑harm in a generation.” Labour Energy Secretary Ed Miliband defended the approach, citing £90 billion of private investment in clean‑energy projects since the 2024 election and stating that existing fields will operate for their lifetime while the UK pursues “clean home‑grown power.”

The vote was announced alongside a quiet relaxation of UK sanctions on Russian oil, permitting imports of Russian‑derived jet fuel and diesel via third‑country refineries and temporary waivers for Russian LNG shipments. Critics highlighted the apparent contradiction of restricting domestic North Sea development while easing restrictions on Russian‑origin fuels, a move that drew disappointment from Ukrainian officials. Regional industry leaders warned of economic impacts on Aberdeen and north‑east Scotland, where North Sea jobs have already fallen.