Politics · United Kingdom · 3 hrs ago
Labour MP criticises plan to block new North Sea oil and gas projects
Labour MP Henry Tufnell criticised plans to block new North Sea oil and gas projects, calling the policy hypocritical and harmful.
The legislation would prevent future development off the Scottish coast, although it would not affect Rosebank because that project was approved in 2023 and is now facing a legal challenge.
Tufnell argues that importing oil and gas while refusing to develop UK reserves could cost jobs and tax revenue.
He and Labour MP Steve Yemm have formed a cross-party group to support new drilling.
A poll found 65% of Labour voters support approving Rosebank, the largest undeveloped oil field in UK waters.
The field’s future is disputed within the government, and the Energy Secretary has indicated she may not support it.
The government plans to press ahead with the legislation, while Rosebank’s approval remains a separate question.
A Labour MP has criticised legislation to block future North Sea oil and gas projects, arguing that Britain should develop its own reserves.
Henry Tufnell said importing oil and gas while refusing to drill in the North Sea was hypocritical and could harm jobs and economic growth.
The legislation will block future licences but will not affect the Rosebank field, which was approved in 2023 before a legal challenge.
A poll found that 65 per cent of Labour supporters wanted the Government to approve Rosebank.
Tufnell and Labour MP Steve Yemm have founded the cross-party Industry First group to support new oil and gas drilling.
- Who
- Labour MP Henry Tufnell criticised the plan. Labour MP Steve Yemm is also supporting new drilling.
- What
- The Government plans legislation to block future North Sea oil and gas licences.
- When
- The articles were published on 5 November 2026.
- Where
- The proposed projects are off the Scottish coast, in the North Sea.
- Why
- Tufnell said developing domestic oil and gas would support energy security, jobs and economic growth.
Supporters of new oil and gas drilling
Supporters of blocking future licences
Energy policy
Supporters of new oil and gas drilling
Tufnell said Britain should develop its own reserves rather than import oil and gas, citing energy security and economic benefits.
Supporters of blocking future licences
The Government plans legislation to prevent future oil and gas licences in the North Sea.
Economic impact
Supporters of new oil and gas drilling
Tufnell argued that domestic development could bring tax receipts and support jobs.
Supporters of blocking future licences
The articles do not state the Government’s reasons for the policy.
The Rosebank oil field was approved before being legally challenged.
The Jackdaw gas field was given the go-ahead.
The article reported that the Government planned legislation to block future oil and gas licences.
- Labour MP
- Henry Tufnell, Mid and South Pembrokeshire
- Pressure group
- Industry First, founded by Henry Tufnell and Steve Yemm
- Rosebank support
- 65 per cent of Labour supporters surveyed wanted the project approved
- Jackdaw support
- 68 per cent of Labour supporters backed its approval
- Future energy
- 72 per cent of Labour supporters said oil and gas are essential for the foreseeable future
What people are saying
We are prepared to import gas from the US, we're prepared to import gas that has been drilled in Norway, but we are not prepared to drill our own oil and gas in the North Sea and bring in the economic benefits from tax receipts and support jobs there.
There is a hypocrisy there that I really struggle to get my head around.
We think that energy security is national security, we think it can bring huge benefits for economic growth and ultimately protect lots of jobs.