Keir Starmer says PM is ‘wrong’ on clean energy after new oil licensing scheme announced

Keir Starmer today responded to the King’s Speech, saying the government’s plan to grant new North Sea oil and gas licences every year is “wrong”

He said: “They are wrong about clean energy. It is cheaper, it is British and it can give us real security from tyrants like Putin”.

Elsewhere he declared: “Today’s address shows just how ridiculous that posturing is because what we have before us is a plan for more of the same”.

It was announced in the King’s Speech that the government would legislate for a new Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill.

The bill will see measures announced to ensure new oil and gas licences can be awarded every year.

The government has said the change will boost energy security and reduce dependence on “hostile foreign regimes”.

Charles III said in his speech today: “Legislation will be introduced to strengthen the United Kingdom’s energy security and reduce reliance on volatile international energy markets and hostile foreign regimes.

“This Bill will support the future licensing of new oil and gas fields, helping the country to transition to net zero by 2050 without adding undue burdens on households”.

Rishi Sunak vows annual oil and gas licensing bill will put Britain ‘on right path for the future’