Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make it his policy to end Government support for the new Cambo oil field in the context of the UK’s climate commitments under the Paris and Glasgow COP Agreements.

The Government’s domestic offshore oil and gas sector remains important to the UK and continues to keep the country warm, fuel the economy and strengthen security of supply. While the government is working to drive down demand for fossil fuels, this will be a gradual transition. There will continue to be ongoing demand for oil and gas over the coming years, as recognised by the independent Climate Change Committee, with the UK expected to remain net importers of oil and gas as domestic demand continues to outstrip domestic production.

Development proposals for fields with existing licences, such as Cambo, are subjected to extensive scrutiny by the Oil and Gas Authority, and the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning. This includes an environmental impact assessment, a public consultation, and careful examination from the Oil and Gas Authority under its revised strategy – effectively a net zero test – before development consent can be issued.

The Government has not provided any financial support for the Cambo field.