VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Energy: Imports

Asked by Wendy MortonConservativeDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled Answered 8 January 2026UIN 101366

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of domestic energy production, including North Sea activity, on levels of imported energy.

Answered by Michael Shanks

The North Sea is a highly mature basin, and its natural decline would not be reversed by further licensing. New licences awarded in the last decade have made only a marginal difference to overall oil and gas production.

Further exploration and production licences would not meaningfully increase UK production levels, nor would they change the UK’s status as a net importer of oil and gas.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim