- Energy secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh has introduced the Energy Independence Bill to permanently ban new North Sea oil and gas exploration licences.
- Andy Burnham is backing the proposed legislation, which delivers on Labour's manifesto pledge to halt new drilling projects.
- Existing licensed sites, including the Jackdaw gas field, will remain unaffected while transitional energy certificates are introduced for current operations.
- Shadow energy secretary Andrew Bowie criticised the move, warning it will heighten Britain's reliance on foreign energy imports.
- The bill also contains measures to scrap household gas standing charges, amid ongoing criticism from climate campaigners over existing project approvals.
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