Factchecked: the UK government’s claims about North Sea oil and gas

Rishi Sunak says the policy shift towards fossil fuels will lower bills and is backed by independent advisers. Is he right?

The UK government is about to bring through legislation for an annual licensing programme for oil and gas in the North Sea.

To justify this shift in policy towards fossil fuels, ministers have made a number of claims about the impact on climate breakdown and UK bills, as well as whether it is in line with recommendations from its independent climate advisers.