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Oil and Natural Gas: Exploration and Licensing

Asked by Neil Duncan-JordanLabourDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled Answered 13 July 2026UIN 15880

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the Energy Independence Bill will end new oil and gas licences and exploration.

Answered by Michael Shanks

The Energy Independence Bill was announced in the King’s Speech, in which the government committed to manage existing oil and gas fields for their lifetime and to show climate leadership by meeting the manifesto commitment not to issue new licences to explore new fields.

The full detail of the Bill and its policy measures will be set out in due course when it is introduced to Parliament.

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