Britain pledges hundreds of North Sea oil and gas licences in energy push

Critics have warned that Britain has failed to invest enough to beef up energy security as other countries, such as the US, pump money into green technology.

Boosting domestic production will help the shift toward net-zero, because oil and gas will still provide for about a quarter of Britain’s energy needs when that milestone is reached, Mr Sunak said.

Britain has done a U-turn as its prime minister Rishi Sunak pledged to issue hundreds of new licences for oil and gas production in the North Sea.

The move seems to be part of a push to boost Britain’s energy independence while attempting to create political dividing lines with the poll-leading opposition Labour Party.