Almost half of people want the UK Government to back new oil and gas developments – more than twice the number who want the current ban on North Sea drilling to continue, a poll suggests.
Survey Findings
A survey for Optimum found 49% support the UK adopting a similar approach to Norway and permitting new developments in the North Sea, while 24% want to see Labour maintain its opposition. Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), which commissioned the polling, said it showed that “the British public are looking for huge change in energy policy from the new Prime Minister”.
With more than 2,000 people across the UK questioned earlier in July, the findings were released ahead of Andy Burnham taking over as Labour leader and prime minister amid speculation he could spark a change in energy policy.
Labour Voter Views
OEUK chief executive David Whitehouse said Labour supporters were “looking for a significant shift in the Government’s flagship ban on new exploration”. The research, carried out by Opinium, suggested more than seven out of 10 Britons support the domestic production of oil and gas, compared to 8% who said it did not matter where such fuels come from.
Opening up new oil and gas fields was also the more popular option among those who had voted Labour in the 2024 election – despite the party coming to power on a commitment not to issue any new licences. While 35% of Labour supporters wanted to see this ban – introduced amid concerns over the environmental impact of fossil fuels – remain in place, the polling found 42% want the UK Government to grant new licences.
Industry Reaction
Mr Whitehouse said: “This compelling new data shows that the British public are looking for huge change in energy policy from the new prime minister.” He added that voters have “had enough” of Britain’s declining production of oil and gas, which have “increased UK exposure to imports and geopolitical risk”.
The OEUK chief executive stated: “All corners of the UK population are looking for change from Andy Burnham, including the government’s own core supporters. Almost 70% of Labour voters said that the UK should continue producing oil and gas in the North Sea rather than rely on imports, compared to just 9% who said it doesn’t matter where it comes from. Labour voters are also looking for a significant shift in the Government’s flagship ban on new exploration. Only 35% of Labour supporters want the current ban on new offshore licences to continue, with a clear majority (42%) favouring Norway’s much more pragmatic approach to allowing new drilling offshore.”
Call for Policy Reset
Adding that Mr Burnham – who is due to become prime minister on Monday – is “promising hope, to make sure that Britain’s industrial communities are not left behind”, Mr Whitehouse said that “nowhere is this more desperately needed than with the UK’s energy sector”. He insisted: “Domestic production is less carbon-intensive, supports the energy transition, produces billions of pounds of tax revenues for the Chancellor, and builds industrial resilience across the country, making us all more secure. We need an energy policy reset to back North Sea oil and gas, not imports.”
Government Response
The UK Government spokesperson said: “We have been a net importer of energy for over 20 years, and new exploration in the North Sea would not change that. Oil and gas production will be with us for decades to come, and we will manage existing fields for the entirety of their lifespan – while actively scaling up clean energy industries in the North Sea.”
