Esther McVey has accused government of putting UK energy security at risk after Labour MPs voted to ban drilling for gas and oil in the North Sea.
Ms McVey said given the current global instability, it was more important than ever, to secure supply.
Speaking in Parliament during she said: “Can the minister explain why this government sees fit to ban new licences to drill for oil and gas in the north sea which would provide the UK with energy security, affordability and reliability, and tax revenue, while at the same time buying oil from Russia – a betrayal of UK citizens, Ukrainian citizens and playing into Putin’s hands.”
The questioning comes as Labour MPs voted against UK gas oil and gas licences in Parliament and Labour announced it would ease sanctions on Russia, allowing for the import of jet fuel and diesel refined in third countries amid surging costs due to the Iran war. A trade licence, which came into effect on Wednesday, permits the imports “indefinitely”.
Ms McVey said it was “utterly ludicrous” that the UK was now importing from Russia instead of drilling in the North Sea.
She said: “What my constituents want is lower energy costs and to know our gas and oil supply is secure. We need to start opening new gas and oil fields in the North Sea and get Britain drilling.”
