The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA), which regulates North Sea oil and gas production, will confirm it is granting about 30 licences to companies to look for hydrocarbons on sites earmarked for future offshore windfarms.
The move has renewed criticism of Rishi Sunak by environmentalists, including his own former net zero tsar, who say any future oil and gas production could hamper clean energy generation. But it will give the prime minister a welcome piece of news to sell to his restive backbenchers many of whom are keen to see more oil and gas production in the North Sea-after what are set to be a bruising set of local election results.
Chris Skidmore, the former Tory MP who quit as Sunak's net zero tsar in protest at the government's climate policies, said: "With a general election just months away this is a deeply irresponsible and divisive move that goes against all advice from the IEA [International Energy Agency] or the UN, and regrettably will further set back the UK's climate reputation.
The investment should instead be in more wind and renewables. More fossil fuels will only create stranded assets and stranded jobs at a time when demand for oil and gas is falling." He added: "This is a political and cynical stunt that will only backfire ... We need to stop playing politics with climate and people's future, and take a grownup position on seeking to find consensus for an end date to new oil and gas." A spokesperson for the NSTA said:
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Messages suggest Bin Salman key to Newcastle deal
Leaked WhatsApp messages from the former Newcastle United minority co-owner Amanda Staveley suggest that Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's crown prince, was heavily involved in the takeover of the club, it was reported yesterday.
"'Is it subconscious bias?' O'Neil questions officials after VAR hands City dramatic win"
The Wolves manager, Gary O'Neil, questioned whether referees have a subconscious bias in favour of the \"big guy\" after Manchester City clinched a stoppage-time victory in controversial circumstances.
Red machine finds sufficient calm in the storm to get the better of callow Chelsea
Everything had been relatively serene for Chelsea at Anfield until the 25th minute when Levi Colwill flapped in a gale. Mohamed Salah thought he had been fouled on the edge of the area but John Brooks made the wrong decision, leaving Liverpool irritated and began a new case study in chaos theory.
Jones stars as Liverpool pass first serious test
Contenders or pretenders? It was a legitimate question to ask of Liverpool given their almost flawless start under Arne Slot and the wait for their first serious Premier League test. Old Trafford does not qualify. Chelsea provided it and Liverpool found the answers, hauling themselves back to the summit with defeat of Enzo Maresca's emerging team.
Stones snatches victory as Wolves rue VAR again
Pep Guardiola was on the pitch, perplexed at John Stones's winner halfway through the final minute of stoppage time being disallowed for offside against Bernardo Silva.
Caldentey and Kafaji fire Arsenal to welcome victory
A battling defeat of West Ham ensured Arsenal secured back-to-back wins in the Champions League and Women's Super League after the resignation of Jonas Eidevall.
Pollard lifts Leicester and delights Cheika
Sometimes it helps having a double World Cup champion in your side. There are numerous reasons why Leicester overturned an 11-point deficit to win a thrilling contest against Gloucester. Their experienced bench played a role, as did greater accuracy in the backline after a disjointed opening. They rode their luck on occasion and it did not hurt playing against the most porous defence in the league.
Ferrari fire up tension as Leclerc and Sainz seal Texas one-two
Lando Norris was handed a five-second penalty after he was ruled to have gone off the track to overtake Max Verstappen
His courage now is typical of man who lit up velodrome
Sir Chris Hoy is facing his terminal diagnosis with the same stoicism that made him Britain's greatest track cyclist
Ainslie keeps the faith in America's Cup quest
Ineos Britannia had only just crossed the finish line, 37 seconds behind Emirates Team New Zealand in the ninth and final race of this America's Cup, when their 47-year-old skipper Sir Ben Ainslie was asked about his plans for the next one.
