UK government moves to ban new North Sea oil and gas exploration
Energy Independence Bill would remove power to grant new licences; Tory MP calls ministers 'utterly delusional'
The UK government has moved to ban new oil and gas exploration licences in the North Sea, saying it is upholding Labour's manifesto pledge. The Energy Independence Bill would remove the North Sea Transition Authority's ability to grant new licences but would not affect the decision on whether to allow drilling at Rosebank off Shetland. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the changes would "bring bills down for good" and put Britain back in control of its energy future.