Oceana reaction to King’s Speech and Energy Independence Bill news.
Hugo Tagholm, Director of Oceana UK, said:
“The fact that energy security featured so prominently in the opening statement of the King’s Speech shows just how important this issue has become for the country’s future.
The announcement marks a landmark moment for our seas, our wildlife and our future. Done right, this bill could be the starting gun for a truly clean, green and resilient future — strengthening the UK’s energy, economic and long-term national security while helping protect the ocean for generations to come.
For our seas, the stakes could not be higher. Offshore oil and gas damages marine life through spills, industrial noise, pollution and the growing impacts of climate change. For too long, our ocean has paid the price for fossil fuel expansion.
The reality is simple: new North Sea drilling will not cut energy bills, deliver genuine energy security or shield households from volatile global fossil fuel markets. What it will do is increase pressure on whales, dolphins, seabirds and fragile marine habitats already under strain.
The Government is right to hold the line.
The UK now has the chance to lead the world in moving beyond the fossil fuel casino and towards cleaner, more secure energy that protects both people and ocean life.
Our seas should not be treated as a sacrifice zone for declining fossil fuel industries. They are living ecosystems that support wildlife, food security, livelihoods, coastal communities and climate resilience.
Oceana UK welcomes this hugely significant commitment and urges ministers to remain steadfast against pressure to weaken it.”
Supporting data
· oil and gas jobs declined by around 70,000 over the past decade, renewable energy industries created more than 160,000 jobs across the UK
· nearly 85% of UK-produced oil and natural gas liquids were exported in 2024, meaning new drilling does not shield British households from global price shocks or guarantee lower bills.
· the risks are not theoretical. More than 630 oil spills, chemical spills and permit breaches were recorded in UK seas in 2025 alone, including incidents inside marine protected areas.
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