‘Complete lunacy!’ Reform UK slams Greens for ‘economic illiteracy’ over net zero

Reform UK has blasted the Greens as “economically illiterate” after Zack Polanski demanded that the Government block plans to drill for more oil and gas.

Drilling in the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea was approved under the Conservatives, but put on ice after a court appeal forced a new environmental assessment.

The Greens have now written a letter to Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh demanding that future drilling be ruled out.

They claimed opening the field “will not take a penny off energy costs nor protect jobs” and said: “Jackdaw would only create 27 direct full-time jobs, with the platform unstaffed for most of its operating life and much of the construction already having taken place in Norway.

“It is completely dishonest of your Government to use the legitimate concerns of job security and the cost of living to falsely justify more fossil fuel extraction.”

The letter also claims that drilling would only serve to “line the pockets of shareholders”.

But Reform UK energy spokesman Richard Tice told the Daily Express: “The Greens are economically illiterate.

“Instead of drilling the enormous amounts of energy treasure beneath our feet to bring bills down for British families, they have doubled down on making life and business as expensive as possible. This is complete lunacy. We must Drill Britain Drill for cheaper energy and higher growth.”

It comes after months of speculation and growing calls to allow drilling of the gas field amid mounting fears over the UK’s energy security.

Critics of the proposal say it risks exacerbating climate change and environmental harm in the area and will not make energy cheaper.

Both the Conservative Party and Reform UK have previously backed calls to drill more and have directly called for the Jackdaw gas field to be opened.

They have argued that opening new drilling in the North Sea would lower energy bills by increasing fuel supply, thereby safeguarding the country’s energy sovereignty.

A spokesman for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: “Oil and gas will continue to play an important role in our energy system for decades to come – alongside transitioning to clean power to protect jobs and tackle the climate crisis.

“Any decision will take into account all relevant evidence, including environmental assessments and public representations received during the consultation process.”