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The Political Stakes of Climate Commitments Backsliding on climate action would drive the Labour party into political obscurity, Zack Polanski has warned, as trade union leaders remain divided over more drilling in the North Sea. The Green party leader, speaking to the Guardian as searing heat swept the country for the second time this year, urged Andy Burnham – widely expected to be the UK's next prime minister – to be bold on climate justice. He said any move to water down the party's commitments would have dire consequences at the ballot box. "Half measures or backsliding on climate action would be a moral and political failure from Andy Burnham. He has the chance to be bold, and failing to do so will see our country get poorer and his party slip further into obscurity." The North Sea Drilling Divide The leader of the UK's biggest union, Unison, has called for no more drilling for oil and gas in the North Sea amid a debate within Labour and the trade union movement about the party's climate commitments. However, the former health secretary Wes Streeting has called for more drilling in the North Sea, including giving the go ahead to the massive Rosebank oilfield. Sharon Graham, the leader of Unite, which represents workers in the oil and gas industry, also backs new drilling and said that the commitment of the energy secretary, Ed Miliband, to net zero would be a "noose around the neck" of job creation. The British Chambers of Commerce said Burnham should exploit what fossil fuels were left in the dwindling North Sea basin "to avoid mass job losses." Critics point out that the number of jobs supported by the industry has more than halved in the last decade – from 441,000 to 214,000 – despite previous governments issuing hundreds of new licences. Statistics show between 90% and 93% of all viable oil and gas has already been drained from the basin. Economic Impact of Climate Policies A recent CBI report found the net zero economy was worth about £100bn a year to the UK, growing faster than the rest of the economy and producing higher-paid jobs. This economic data contrasts with arguments from drilling proponents who suggest continued fossil fuel extraction is necessary for economic stability. Decades of inaction on the transition to clean energy has already put the UK way behind where it should be, with huge cost to the economy, according to Polanski. "As the country swelters under extreme heat there has never been a more prescient reminder that we simply cannot afford to keep burning fossil fuels." Union Movement Fractures Over Climate Action Yet in debates over who should be Burnham's chancellor, some on the right of the party and the union movement back Streeting over Miliband. A senior trade union source said there was widespread unease within the union movement at Unite's pro-drilling stance. "Many in our union – and other unions – are worried that Sharon's interventions are boosting [Nigel] Farage and his crypto-backers," they said. "And that her attack on Ed played right into the hands of the Labour right. Wes as chancellor would be a bad outcome for the working class, including Sharon's members. It's not strategic at all." Andrea Egan, the leader of Unison, said this month that more drilling for fossil fuels would do nothing to help working-class people. "Climate change denial is creeping into politics like never before, with far-right parties treating fossil fuels as a panacea for the country's problems," Egan wrote. "Plundering the North Sea wouldn't make a significant difference for working-class people in Britain, and it would be grossly irresponsible to working-class people in the global south." Frontline Workers Call for Climate Action Other unions also say a Burnham government must double down on its climate plans to secure a fair and sustainable future. Steve Wright, the general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said its members were on the frontline of the climate crisis dealing with wildfires and heatwaves. He added: "We see first-hand the need for urgent climate action and that must include restrictions on drilling in the North Sea." "We urgently need a plan for adaptation that protects people's health as well as the environment. Otherwise, firefighters will still be pushed beyond limits to respond to the sheer scale of wildfires this summer and in future years." The UK's largest teachers' union, the National Education Union, also urged Burnham not to back away from climate action. "This week's extreme heatwave is causing untold disruption and discomfort throughout our education system," said Daniel Kebede, the NEU's general secretary. "This certainly isn't the moment to move away from trying to tackle the very causes of what we are experiencing this week; if we make that mistake, these episodes will only continue to get worse."

The Call to Action on Net Zero Targets Britain’s net zero economy is booming, worth £100bn a year to the UK, outpacing other sectors, and supporting higher-paying jobs than the average. For a union leader to suggest that the man who has overseen this impressive record – the energy secretary, Ed Miliband – would be a “noose around the neck” of job creation, as Unite’s Sharon Graham has done, might seem extraordinary. The Economic Benefits of Net Zero More than 60% of people support net zero and climate action, numerous polls suggest. Although it is eclipsed by the cost of living as a priority for voters, the appeal crosses political divides – about a third of Reform voters support the target, despite the onslaught against it from Nigel Farage and Richard Tice. The Impact on Labour's Electoral Prospects At the other end of the spectrum, Labour haemorrhaged votes to the strongly pro-climate Green party and Liberal Democrats at the local elections. YouGov polling showed that for every 2024 Labour voter who switched to Reform, about six voted instead for the Liberal Democrats or the Green party. In many cases, it was the switch by Labour voters to the left that gave Reform the leg-up to win seats, rather than Labour voters moving right. The Future of Net Zero Policy Political calculation aside, measures to tackle the climate crisis and reduce the UK’s dependence on imported oil and gas can also deliver economically. While Unite and GMB, unions with members reliant on the oil and gas sector, have called for an end to the ban on new North Sea drilling, most unions support net zero. The Prediction Burnham had a strong record on the environment while mayor of Manchester, where he declared a target of carbon neutrality by 2038 and championed clean energy, electric buses, insulation and nature projects. “This record shows he understands the importance of these issues and is willing to fight for them,” says Robbie McPherson, Kennedy Scholar at Harvard University, and former head of the UK’s all-party parliamentary group on climate.

The Unprecedented Green Political CrisisKeir Starmer has encountered a political anomaly: a Labour government facing a coordinated assault on its energy and climate policies. While previous administrations faced skepticism, the current opposition has weaponised the climate agenda, making the dismantling of Net Zero a top priority. This marks a significant fracture from the cross-party consensus on climate that has existed since the days of Margaret Thatcher.The Opposition's Offensive on Net ZeroKey Targets: Kemi Badenoch has emerged as the primary antagonist, frequently targeting Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary.Policy Rollbacks: The opposition has vowed to abandon the Net Zero target, boost North Sea drilling, and repeal the 2008 Climate Change Act.Extremism: Nigel Farage's Reform party has gone further, openly denying climate science and threatening to withdraw from the 2015 Paris Agreement.The Economic Paradox of Green Energy vs. Fossil Fuel RelianceDespite the political noise, the economic data suggests a different reality. Investments in renewable energy have proven to be a stabilising force. According to the ECIU thinktank, renewable investments reduced wholesale electricity prices by approximately one-third last year. However, households have yet to see the full benefit due to fossil fuel crises, highlighting the complex link between energy generation and consumer bills.The Strategic Retreat and Internal DisarrayThe backlash has forced Starmer into a defensive posture. Internal advisors, notably Morgan McSweeney, reportedly feared that ambitious green policies would cause Labour voters to defect to Reform UK. This anxiety led to a significant policy pivot:A halving of the pledged £28bn investment in the green economy.Whispered concerns within the inner circle about dropping the 2030 decarbonisation target.However, this strategy has backfired. Polling by More in Common indicates that two-thirds of the public still support the Net Zero target, and the retreat has inadvertently emboldened the Green Party, which has gained ground in recent local elections.Navigating the Green Tightrope in a Cost-of-Living CrisisStarmer's record is actually strong, having intervened to protect the warm homes plan and ensure legal compliance of climate policies. Yet, the political narrative is dominated by the cost of living. The government is now attempting to break the link between electricity prices and gas costs to shield consumers. With the IEA warning that new oil and gas drilling will not lower bills, Starmer faces the difficult task of maintaining his clean energy superpower vision while appeasing a public anxious about energy costs.

The Call for Tax Cuts Wes Streeting has called for national insurance tax cuts for businesses, and for the government to drill for oil and gas in the North Sea. The former health secretary and Labour leadership candidate told the Sunday Times there should be a “targeted reduction” of employers’ national insurance contribution as a way to “actively incentivise” hiring, particularly of young people. The Impact of National Insurance Rate Increase In 2024, the rate of national insurance paid by employers was increased from 13.8% on each employee’s salary to 15%. The starting threshold it applied to was lowered from £9,100 to £5,000. The measure aimed to raise £25bn a year, but businesses said it disincentivised hiring lower-paid and part-time staff. Youth Unemployment Concerns A report this week by the former cabinet minister Alan Milburn said a lack of hospitality jobs was contributing to high youth unemployment in Britain. It pointed to a halving of vacancies in the hospitality industry over the past four years alone. Analysis shows Britain has the third-highest rate of 16- to 24-year-olds who are not earning or learning among rich European countries. The Government's Response Pat McFadden, the work and pensions secretary, suggested he disagreed with this view. Speaking on Sky News on Sunday morning, he defended the government’s record, saying that businesses already did not have to pay employers’ national insurance for workers under 21. The Future of North Sea Drilling There has been a debate within Labour about whether to grant drilling consents for the giant oil and gas fields Rosebank and Jackdaw. Though there was a commitment not to give out any more licences for fossil fuels in Labour’s manifesto, there is a loophole that could be exploited; Rosebank and Jackdaw were given exploration licences by the previous Conservative government. They just need consent to drill. Ed Miliband's Decision Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, is due to make a decision on these oil and gas fields in coming weeks. He, along with the North Sea Transition Authority, have to decide whether the drilling would be consistent with the UK’s climate commitments.

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has called for the UK to scrap its 2050 net‑zero goal and ramp up North Sea oil and gas drilling, prompting a swift backlash from climate experts who label the suggestion “bizarre” amid a historic heatwave and rising energy costs. Blair’s Call to Re‑Open North Sea Oil and Gas E3G programme director Ed Matthew warned that abandoning net zero during the “worst May heatwave on record” would be a “massive setback” for the UK, emphasizing that clean energy is cheaper and has near‑zero operating costs. Economic Stakes: £200 million Heatwave Losses and Fossil‑Fuel Costs Heat stress on livestock and crops is projected to cost the UK economy over £200 million this year. The International Energy Agency’s Fatih Birol notes that new oil fields would have “little impact” on domestic fuel prices. Renewable‑energy growth, especially record‑breaking solar generation, is already reducing household energy bills. Why Renewables Outperform Fossil Fuel Revival in the UK Analysts such as Jess Ralston (Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit) argue that expanding solar and other clean‑power technologies shields consumers from volatile fossil‑fuel markets and supports energy security as the North Sea declines. Comparisons to Spain’s renewable‑driven price stability reinforce the case for electrification as the “obvious route” to lower bills. What the Next Steps Mean for UK Energy Policy Government spokespersons confirm that no new exploration licences will be granted, focusing instead on managing existing fields for the remainder of their lifespan while accelerating the clean‑power mission championed by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband. If the current trajectory holds, the UK is likely to cement its position as a leader in renewable deployment, rendering calls to revive North Sea drilling increasingly marginal in policy debates.

National Gas announced that the United Kingdom will have enough gas to satisfy summer demand despite recent tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. The network, which runs the country’s gas pipelines, says domestic and Norwegian supplies will cover the low‑usage months, meaning liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports will be minimal this summer. The real challenge lies ahead. While renewable rollout is accelerating, gas will remain a core part of the UK’s energy mix for at least the next two decades. It accounts for about 37% of total gas consumption in 2024, with domestic heating being the largest single use. Replacing millions of boilers with heat pumps cannot happen quickly, especially given the current sluggish pace. Government plans for 2030 still require the full 35 GW of gas‑fired generation capacity to stay online as backup. Energy department data released in early 2025 showed gas demand “broadly stable” for the third consecutive year, representing roughly half of the nation’s 75.2% fossil‑fuel dependency. In the debate over new North Sea drilling licences, the key question is where future gas will come from. Oxford energy economist Sir Dieter Helm, speaking on a Chatham House podcast, warned that gas will dominate the energy supply for the next decade or two and that the cheapest, least polluting option is pipeline gas—not LNG. Analysis from Wood Mackenzie confirms this hierarchy. Pipeline gas from modern Norwegian platforms has the lowest carbon intensity, followed by UK North Sea pipelines. By contrast, LNG adds significant emissions during liquefaction and regasification, and US LNG is the most carbon‑intensive because much of it originates from shale gas with higher methane leakage. Wood Mackenzie’s import forecasts to 2045 paint a stark picture: if domestic production wanes, the UK could rely on US LNG for over 60% of its total gas supply by 2035. The firm notes that Middle‑East gas is geared toward Asian markets, while US cargoes are increasingly directed to Europe, raising concerns about over‑reliance on a single supplier. These projections underpin the argument for expanding UK North Sea extraction. More domestic drilling would reduce dependence on US LNG—a geopolitical risk given the United States’ tendency to use energy as a foreign‑policy lever—and would also lower the overall carbon footprint of the gas supply chain. Critics often claim that North Sea output is exported, so it does not improve national security. Two counter‑points are clear: first, gas delivered directly via pipeline to the UK network is inherently more secure than trans‑Atlantic cargoes; second, the UK could negotiate long‑term, fixed‑price contracts with producers, a model that worked well in the early days of North Sea development. None of this diminishes the importance of renewables and nuclear power. Electrification remains the long‑term goal, but gas will stay in the energy basket for years to come. Offshore Energies UK estimates that, with a pragmatic licensing approach, reliance on LNG could be limited to 6% of total gas supplies by 2035. Assuming political stalemate eases, the pending approval of the Jackdaw field—accounting for roughly 6% of current domestic production—could spark a more nuanced debate about the UK’s gas procurement strategy, moving beyond the simplistic “renewables vs. gas” narrative. Reflecting on the recent Iran‑UK conflict, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak highlighted the need for “secure, homegrown energy”. The logical follow‑up is twofold: accelerate electrification to cut gas demand, and while gas remains essential, avoid turning the UK into an “energy prisoner of the US”. Beyond the geopolitical and environmental benefits, expanding North Sea output would also support jobs, tax revenue, and the balance of payments.

Labour leader Ed Miliband is facing a dilemma over whether to support new oil and gas licences in the North Sea, a move that could undermine the party's commitment to renewable energy and climate action. Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, is pushing for the licences as a way to cut fuel bills, and some trade unions are also expressing support.However, Labour's green-friendly manifesto and Miliband's long-standing commitment to combating climate change make it difficult for the party to backtrack on its opposition to fossil fuel extraction. The issue has become a battleground between Labour and Reform UK, with Farage framing it as a fight between the 'common man' and the 'elites'. The North Sea oil and gas industry is in decline, and even if new licences were granted, it would take five to seven years for the wells to become productive. Moreover, the global energy market is driven by fossil fuel prices, so extracting more oil from the North Sea would have a minimal impact on UK energy prices.Instead of succumbing to pressure from the right, Labour should focus on investing in renewable energy and breaking the energy market into clean power and fossil power. This approach would not only help combat climate change but also provide a more sustainable and resilient energy supply.The article concludes that Labour must stay committed to its green agenda and not give in to the 'nostalgic fantasy' of North Sea drilling, which would only serve to benefit Nigel Farage and Reform UK.

The new Reform UK promotion, dubbed “Nigel cut my bills,” asks voters to surrender personal details – name, phone, email and voting history – for a chance that Nigel Farage will foot their energy bills for a year. The concept reads like a scripted MrBeast video: a charismatic host appears on a suburban street, hands out cash, and celebrates each winner with upbeat music and on‑screen tallies. While the party frames the scheme as a bold, voter‑engaging move, privacy advocates have already flagged potential breaches of data‑protection law. More troubling, however, is what the stunt signifies: the “MrBeastification” of British politics, where flashy giveaways replace substantive policy debate. Reform UK’s website touts a suite of promised savings if it wins the next election: scrapping VAT on energy bills (a £85 reduction), eliminating Labour’s green levy (£100), and removing the carbon tax (£15). The messaging is clear – Farage is portrayed as a man who puts money directly into voters’ pockets. Yet the underlying issue of soaring energy costs is oversimplified. Bills are high not because of the mentioned taxes, but because the UK’s electricity price is tied to volatile gas market prices. Farage’s advocacy for renewed North Sea drilling would lock the country into this volatility, offering short‑term relief at the expense of long‑term energy security. Earlier, Reform UK floated a controversial policy targeting non‑domiciled residents: a one‑off charge of £250,000 for a ten‑year renewable residence permit, with proceeds earmarked for low‑paid workers. Critics argue the fee merely shifts the burden onto wealthy foreigners while providing negligible benefit to ordinary voters. In the world of viral giveaways, the spectacle often masks deeper shortcomings. As the article notes, after MrBeast hands cash to a homeless man, he probes the man’s backstory, revealing systemic issues that a single payment cannot solve. Similarly, Reform’s grand gestures risk being tokenistic, offering temporary excitement without addressing the structural challenges of the UK’s energy market. Ultimately, the “Nigel cut my bills” competition may capture attention, but it also underscores a shift toward sensationalist political communication that prioritises instant gratification over meaningful policy solutions.

The UK government's proposal to boost North Sea oil and gas drilling is unlikely to provide relief to consumers in the form of lower energy prices. Oil prices have surged to $100 a barrel following the US and Israel's attack on Iran, with potential increases to $150 a barrel due to supply issues in the Strait of Hormuz.Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative party, has introduced a plan to 'get Britain drilling' by opening new oil and gas fields in the North Sea. However, experts argue that this will not reduce energy bills for UK consumers. Oil and gas are sold on international markets, and prices are set globally, so there is no direct discount for UK consumers.The Conservative party has previously acknowledged this, but now suggests that tax reforms and removal of VAT on bills could deliver £200 cuts to household energy bills. The plan involves scrapping the windfall tax on North Sea producers, which has raised about £12bn so far.Critics argue that the windfall tax is essential and that removing it would not stimulate production significantly. The tax does not increase prices to consumers and has the support of the International Energy Agency.Analysis suggests that redirecting tax revenues from the North Sea back to consumers would have a minimal impact on bills. A study found that households would gain only about £16 a year if tax revenues from a maximally exploited North Sea were redistributed.Badenoch's claims about job creation in the North Sea are also disputed. The sector is declining, and geology, not politics, will dictate the future of North Sea oil and gas. Most of the UK's sector has already been drained, with only about 218m tonnes of oil recoverable by 2050 from existing fields.New drilling could add only 74m tonnes of oil and 1.1% to gas production, equivalent to putting off the end of the North Sea by a year or two. Job losses in the sector are a concern, with at least 70,000 jobs lost in the decade to 2024.Experts stress that renewable energy sources are a more secure and sustainable alternative. The UK should focus on creating conditions for clean energy infrastructure to attract investment and drive growth.