Oil and gas bill breaks UK’s promise to phase out fossil fuels, Alok Sharma says

Former Cop26 president criticises the government’s push to ‘max out’ the North Sea

Alok Sharma has said the government’s oil and gas bill going through the Commons will not cut household energy costs or create jobs and instead will break the UK’s promise to phase out fossil fuels.

During a debate on the offshore petroleum licensing bill, which would place the North Sea Transition Authority under a duty to run annual applications for new offshore oil and gas licences, the former Cop26 president criticised the government’s push to “max out” the North Sea. MPs vote on the bill’s second reading on Monday night.