The UK is facing years of soaring energy bills as Britain becomes increasingly reliant on imported oil – despite a staggering 25 billion barrels remaining untapped in the North Sea.
Alarming data obtained by GB News shows that, in the last quarter alone, Britain has imported 20 million tonnes of oil, sending energy costs soaring for people across the country.
The surge in imports comes as Labour has attacked Britain’s own oil industry, increasing ‘punitive’ taxes on North Sea operators and banning new exploration.
Shadow Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Claire Coutinho, said: “Ed Miliband wants to shut down the North Sea by banning new licenses and taxing industry into oblivion.
‘Ed Miliband wants to shut down the North Sea by banning new licenses and taxing industry into oblivion,’ his Tory counterpart said
PA
“We won’t need any less oil and gas – we’ll just be more reliant on foreign imports with higher carbon emissions, and we will be losing 200,000 British workers and £12billion in tax revenue just for the privilege of the Labour party’s climate ideology.”
GB News’ analysis of Government data has revealed that the UK imported 20.1 billion tonnes of oil products in the last quarter alone, a jump of 1.2 billion tonnes compared to the start of 2023.
An average oil tanker carries 318,000 tonnes of oil, emitting up to five grams of CO2 per ton, according to the European Commission.
This means each tanker transporting oil to the UK emits approximately 1.6 million grams of CO2 – the equivalent annual carbon footprint of 160,000 British citizens.
MORE NET ZERO MADNESS:
Each tanker transporting oil to the UK emits approximately 1.6 million grams of CO2 – the equivalent annual carbon footprint of 160,000 British citizens
GB NEWS
Despite Britain boasting plentiful North Sea resources – which could make the UK energy-independent as war rages between Russia and Ukraine – the Government is pursuing aggressive policies to reduce North Sea oil and gas production.
Miliband, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), has instead pursued a policy of “green prosperity” that he hopes will achieve Net Zero by 2030, even with the increased emissions from the millions of tonnes of extra imported oil.
The UK is also heavily reliant on imports of natural gas, with DESNZ confirming some 29 billion cubic metres have been imported so far this year.
Britain has imported almost six billion cubic metres of gas in the last quarter, a 2 billion increase against the same period in 2023.
Labour has attacked Britain’s own oil industry, increasing ‘punitive’ taxes on North Sea operators and banning new exploration
PA
This is despite the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) confirming that 175 billion cubic metres of proven and probable gas reserves exist in the UK.
Coutinho warned Labour’s current energy policy is “economic insanity” and would be damaging for Britain’s energy security.
She said: “We get almost half our domestic gas from the North Sea. There is no other major economy which is shutting down its own production.”
The East Surrey MP added: “We should be championing the North Sea for as long as possible and building a lot of nuclear power to replace it when it’s gone.”
Britain sits on a stockpile of Liquid Natural Gas – yet the country still imports it from overseas
GB NEWS
It comes as Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Government has removed the Winter Fuel Allowance from 10 million pensioners this winter, leading to concern that soaring energy prices – driven by increased imports – will remain, with little protection for those who are most vulnerable.
And energy experts have warned Britain’s increased dependency on imported oil and gas will drive prices even higher.
Angela Knight CBE, former Chief Executive of Energy UK, said: “The more the Government closes the North Sea, the more this country will need to import gas.
“There is no sensible plan to Net Zero that does not have in it gas for the short, medium and long term. High costs and low security are the ‘net result ‘of how Ed Miliband is getting us to Net Zero.”
Coutinho has warned Labour’s current energy policy is ‘economic insanity’
PA
The ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East have seen prices rise for suppliers and consumers with UK become now becoming more reliant on countries such as Libya and Kuwait for oil.
It means the UK – the world’s sixth-largest economy – could find itself short of supplies if existing conflicts spread or further instability spreads around the world.
While Britain sits on untapped natural gas reservoirs, it is instead importing more from Norway – whose proximity to Russian potential pipeline saboteurs poses a national security risk in itself.
The Labour Government’s reliance on imported energy is in sharp contrast to the plans outlined by President-elect Donald Trump in the US.
Energy experts have warned Britain’s increased dependency on imported oil and gas will drive prices even higher
PA
He has prioritised America’s energy independence to ensure the United States is not beholden to foreign powers and can provide citizens with cheap energy.
Trump has appointed Chris Wright – a big supporter of the oil and gas industry – as his Energy Secretary nominee.
Former Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Britain’s growing reliance on imported oil and gas isn’t just an economic issue – it’s a strategic vulnerability. By turning our backs on domestic production, we’re handing control of our energy security to foreign powers, some of whom do not share our interests.
“As a result, policies restricting North Sea production aren’t just short-sighted, they risk higher bills for families and a dangerous over-dependence on unpredictable international suppliers.”
Donald Trump has prioritised America’s energy independence to ensure the United States is not beholden to foreign powers
REUTERS
Shapps added: “This Government’s misguided energy policies are greenwashing in overdrive, with the net result being higher bills, lessened national security and unbelievably increased greenhouse gases too.”
Former Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff, Sir Simon Mayall, told GB News: “The Government’s approach to the United Kingdom’s energy security is at best wilfully naive, and at worst a dereliction of their primary responsibilities to the nation.”
A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesman said: “The oil and gas industry will play an important role for decades to come, and we will work with the sector to protect current and future generations of good jobs, ensuring a prosperous transition.
“Clean, homegrown energy is the best way to protect bill payers and secure Britain’s energy independence, which is why we announced the biggest ever investment in offshore wind and are moving ahead with new North Sea industries like carbon capture and storage and hydrogen.”