On Tuesday evening, the Government quietly issued a licence allowing imports of Russian oil refined in third countries. While on the same evening, Labour MPs voted against UK oil and gas licences meaning that the UK is now importing from Russia instead of drilling in the North Sea.
Richard Fuller MP commented:
After 18 months of standing up to Putin, the UK government has quietly approved imports of Russian oil via third countries while voting to block UK oil and gas licenses.
I know that North Sea oil won’t be available right away, but by saying No to drilling for our own oil, we leave ourselves open to these, frankly immoral, sleights of hand.
Drilling in the North Sea reduces our reliance on imports, will protect 200,000 jobs and will raise billions in tax revenue which can be used to cut other taxes. Our amendment, which Labour MPs voted against, would have ensured this and the revival of British refineries.
The UK is losing 1,000 jobs a month in oil and gas, and Labour should be ashamed that people will buy Russian oil rather than British oil because of Labour’s choices.
