𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Ed Miliband is facing a growing Labour revolt over his refusal to back more North Sea oil and gas drilling. A series of backbenchers have publicly called on the Energy Secretary to rethink his net zero push.

It comes as the Iran war has sent fuel prices soaring as Tehran blocks a key shipping lane for the global oil and gas industry. Labour MP Henry Tufnell told The Telegraph: “Drilling in the North Sea is vital for our own domestic energy security and is good for the economy, with increased tax receipts and jobs.

“There are communities that rely on the oil and gas sector and having an unjust transition would be devastating for these people.

“The Prime Minister accepts that oil and gas is going to be part of our energy mix for decades to come, so why rely on importing gas from countries with lower environmental standards when we can do it domestically?

“We need to be pragmatic and realistic about our energy.”

Backbencher Luke Akehurst added: “There’s no contradiction between developing renewable energy sources and nuclear and using our remaining reserves of North Sea oil and gas.”

Labour MP Graeme Downie called for a “system of North Sea oil and gas which would support homes and businesses in the event of a crisis”.

And Steve Yemm said Britain should take a “pragmatic approach” to the North Sea “recognising the vital role it can continue to play in our energy security and in supporting skilled jobs and tax revenues”.

It comes after Chancellor Rachel Reeves earlier this week said she was “very happy” to back exploration at the Rosebank oil field and the Jackdaw gas field.

They join mounting calls including from unions and former PM Sir Tony Blair for the Government to give the green light to more drilling.

Reports suggested that Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is minded to approve the Jackdaw project, but the Government says speculation is “incorrect”.

Rosebank and Jackdaw were halted by a Supreme Court ruling in 2024 that emissions created by burning fossil fuels should be considered when granting planning permission for new drilling sites.

Mr Miliband, who is leading Labour’s net zero drive, has insisted that new drilling would not lower energy bills for Brits.

A spokesman for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero said: “We cannot comment on live planning decisions, and these decisions will be made in an appropriate and timely manner, after the last government’s plans were found to be unlawful.”