Claire Coutinho says the government’s oil and gas bill is ‘common sense’

Speaking in the second reading debate on the Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill, energy secretary Claire Coutinho defended the legislation as “common sense”.

If passed, the bill would initiate an annual process inviting applications for new offshore oil and gas production licences in the North Sea.

She said: “We are investing in more renewable energy. We are starting a nuclear revival. We will support new technologies like hydrogen, carbon capture and fusion. And this is our plan to have a balanced energy policy.

“However, we need to make sure that the transition works for the British public and the British economy. All plans can’t be based on ideology. They must be based on common sense”.

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