The Conservatives will force a Parliamentary vote calling on the UK Government to approve the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas developments and back new North Sea drilling.
The move comes through an amendment to the King’s Speech urging ministers to reverse opposition to new oil and gas licences and introduce a presumption in favour of approval.
The party claims Labour’s stance on new drilling is already damaging the economy in Aberdeen and the North-east, with jobs and investment being lost across the sector.
The Conservatives say continued North Sea production would strengthen UK energy security, reduce reliance on imported LNG and generate additional tax revenues.
Shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho said: 'Ed Miliband is about to introduce an ‘Energy Independence Bill’ that will make us more dependent on foreign countries for our energy supply by shutting down the North Sea.
'This is unforgiveable, especially during an energy crisis where we should be maximising our own production.
'We will give Labour MPs the chance to do the right thing, overrule their ideological energy secretary, and back the North Sea.
'If we truly want to make Britain more energy resilient then we must make electricity cheap, double down on secure nuclear, axe the carbon tax and 'Get Britain Drilling'.
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Source: Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce
