Thank you for contacting me about the proposed development of the North Sea oil and gas field, Jackdaw. I share your concerns on this issue, and I firmly believe that the UK should not be introducing new oil fields during this difficult time.

The urgency of this decision is obvious. Our current cost of living crisis has highlighted the dangers of relying on fossil fuels for energy, and this only adds to the known issue of climate change and global warming. There is no solution to climate change that does not address the issue of fossil fuels, and so I stand firmly against the proposed development of the Jackdaw oil field.

I’m really proud the Labour Party has a policy for a Green Economic Recovery, with £30 billion in planned capital investment brought forward as part of a rapid stimulus package to support up to 400,000 new, clean jobs in manufacturing and other key sectors. This will work to accelerate investment in clean projects such as energy efficiency, flood prevention, offshore wind, cycling and walking infrastructure and the electric vehicle charging network that would help to create secure, stable employment in every corner of the country right now. We have an opportunity to be the leading light on tackling climate change, by introducing bold and forward thinking green policies.

Drilling for more oil and gas in the North Sea sends the message that the UK does not take the climate crisis seriously enough, and is not showing the leadership that is needed in this climate emergency. I will continue to press the government to stop the development of this oil field and to start phasing out fossil fuels from the UK’s energy supply.

If you are interested in other issues like these, I would appreciate it if you could find the time to take part in the conversation and share ideas here – https://pol.is/2dmtmhmkdy.