Former US President Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack on Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer's plans to increase taxes on North Sea oil production, calling the proposal "a disaster for British jobs and energy security".
Trump's Blunt Warning to Britain
In characteristically blunt remarks, the 45th US president claimed Starmer's tax plans would:
- Drive energy companies out of the UK
- Increase household energy bills
- Make Britain more dependent on foreign oil
"The UK should be maximising its North Sea resources, not punishing them," Trump stated. "This is economic suicide being pushed by climate fanatics."
Labour's Controversial Energy Policy
The Labour Party has proposed:
- A windfall tax extension on oil and gas profits
- Increased levies on North Sea producers
- Banning new domestic oil and gas licenses
Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves has defended the plans as necessary to fund green energy transition while ensuring "fair returns" for taxpayers.
Industry Backlash Grows
Energy companies and industry groups have joined Trump in criticising the proposals:
Offshore Energies UK warned the taxes could "accelerate the decline of UK production" and lead to "more imports from higher-carbon sources".
The controversy comes as Britain grapples with balancing energy security, climate commitments and household bills amid global market volatility.
