‘Only a complete whacko’ would scale down North Sea oil and gas, MPs told

Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband defended the Government’s approach (Maja Smiejkowska/PA) - (PA Wire)

Boosting renewable energy supplies will stop “petrostates and dictators” meddling with the UK cost of living, Ed Miliband has said, after his Conservative opposite number warned “only a complete whacko” would scale down North Sea oil and gas production.

The Energy Secretary and Claire Coutinho traded blows ahead of a Commons vote on whether to permit licences to explore new oil and gas fields.