Government is “pouring fuel on the fire”, says IPPR

Responding to the government’s announcements on North Sea oil and gas licences, Luke Murphy, associate director at IPPR, said:

“With these announcements the government is pouring fuel on the fire while the world burns.

“By proposing to ‘max out’ the North Sea, the government is abandoning any pretence of climate leadership or attempt to win the global green race which is the economic opportunity of the 21st century.

“This policy will make the UK more dependant on volatile gas prices set by global markets and will do nothing to lower bills.

“The quickest way to lower bills, realise energy independence and create jobs is to rollout clean renewable energy, which is also overwhelmingly popular with the public.

“The government should also be acting to reduce demand for oil and gas, through a large scale housing retrofit programme and an ambitious plan to improve public transport.”