Labour ministers met fossil fuel lobbyists 500 times in first year of power, analysis shows

Fossil fuel lobbyists attended almost every government meeting about a temporary windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas companies’ ‘extraordinary profits’. Photograph: Nature Picture Library/Alamy

Government ministers met representatives from the fossil fuel industry more than 500 times during their first year in power – equivalent to twice every working day, according to research.

The analysis found that fossil fuel lobbyists were present at 48% more ministerial meetings during Labour’s first year in power than under the Conservatives in 2023.