'We must use our own oil and gas or lose 200,000 jobs'

BRITAIN risks losing 200,000 jobs if it refuses to make the most of the country's own oil and gas reserves, Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho has warned.

- David Williamson

Landmark legislation goes before MPs this week to ensure these sources of energy continue to be tapped.

The Prime Minister will have to defend his decision to unlock new fossil fuel reserves in the byelection triggered by the resignation of the Government's former net zero tsar. Chris Skidmore caused the latest headache for Rishi Sunak when he announced he was stepping down as Conservative MP for Kingswood because he could not support "a course of action that I know is wrong".

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said he "profoundly" disagrees with Mr Skidmore's reasons for resigning as an MP, arguing that "domestic oil and gas is four times cleaner than imported oil and gas".

Labour opposes granting new oil and gas licences, but the powerful GMB union warned banning new exploration would make the UK more reliant on imports and could endanger national security.