Labour ministers met fossil fuel lobbyists more than 500 times during their first year in power, according to new analysis – equivalent to twice every working day. The figure represents a 48% increase on the number of such meetings attended by Conservative ministers in 2023.
The research, based on the government’s published ministerial meeting records, found that Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) ministers met fossil fuel industry representatives on 274 occasions, with lobbyists present at nearly a quarter of meetings. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband alone met fossil fuel lobbyists 91 times, with a third of his meetings attended by industry figures. BP, Shell and Equinor collectively met ministers 100 times.
Fossil fuel lobbyists were also present at almost every government meeting concerning the energy profits levy, a windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas companies. Carys Boughton of Fossil Free Parliament, which carried out the analysis, said the corporations were being given a “backstage pass to government”, adding: “These lobbyists should have no place in ministerial meetings about the energy transition, taxing profits or cutting our bills.”
Green Party MP Carla Denyer said the government was prioritising “lobbyists and profits for oil and gas giants” over scientists and communities. Katrina McDonnell of the Good Law Project urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to stop “cosying up to polluters”.
The government defended the meetings, insisting the findings were “misleading” and noting that many of the firms involved also had clean energy investments. A spokesperson said: “Our priority is a fair, orderly and prosperous transition in the North Sea in line with our climate and legal obligations.” The response comes amid criticism that major fossil fuel companies have cut green investments in recent years.
