David Whitehouse, Chief Executive at OEUK

Britain still relies on North Sea energy. Time for our new government to back it.

"We should back North Sea oil and gas. Not imports." That was the clear message delivered by workers to Labour MPs in Westminster last week.

It is also the view of the British public.

Independent polling published last week found that 71% of people support producing oil and gas in UK waters, while just 8% said it does not matter where the UK's oil and gas comes from. The same polling showed strong support for ending the current ban on new North Sea exploration.

The public understands something that too often gets lost in the political debate: It is not renewable energy versus oil and gas - on this journey we need both. Britain still relies on oil and gas for 75% of its energy. We use it to heat our homes, power our industries and fuel our transport system. The question is not whether we use it, but where it comes from.

That is why, ahead of the recent ministerial appointments, we urged the government to adopt a clearer and more pragmatic energy policy. One that continues to accelerate offshore wind, carbon capture, hydrogen and other low-carbon technologies, but also one that unambiguously backs domestic oil and gas production over imports.

We congratulate Miatta Fahnbulleh on her appointment as Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero and Michael Shanks MP on his reappointment as Energy Minister. These are important appointments at an important moment for the UK's energy future.

Yet, two days into the new administration, there has been no change in energy policy.

Andy Burnham has said that communities and industry will be at the heart of his government. He is right. But you cannot put communities first if you do not back the industries that sustain them.

The reality is that Britain needs more homegrown energy, not more imports. We need North Sea oil and gas alongside our world-class offshore wind and carbon storage sectors. Together they support jobs, create economic value, strengthen energy security and help reduce emissions by producing more of the energy we need here at home rather than shipping it in from overseas.

Backing homegrown energy should not be controversial. It is common sense.

We have not yet seen the policy and language reset from our new government that our workforce and the public support. 

But the case for supporting our own industries, our own jobs, and our own communities is overwhelming. 

Britain still relies on North Sea energy. The public understands it. Workers understand it. Industry understands it. Now the new government must too.

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