Latest Facebook post from Andy
<<It just doesn’t make sense to only import oil and gas from abroad, when we could be considering the responsible use of our own resources here at home.
You will have seen that the Energy Secretary has today given the green light to the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea.
I know some of you will have concerns and questions, so I wanted to address them directly.
The Jackdaw decision will boost our energy security, protect British jobs, add £3 billion to our economy and heat homes across the country – starting this winter.
The Iran war has triggered global energy shocks, pushing up bills for families.
At a time when people are really struggling, it's right that we look at the existing energy reserves we have in Britain that could help.
But I want to reassure you that my government remains committed to the green transition.
And that the decision today is consistent with our climate targets and our manifesto.
The truth is, that even with our ambitious net-zero goals, we will still need oil and gas for decades to come.
That’s why we’re taking a common sense approach.
We’re also announcing today a new Energy Wealth Fund, that will use future tax revenues from North Sea oil and gas to invest in clean energy and the green transition.
As Prime Minister, I’ve ensured that we have two key aims when it comes to energy: reducing gas bills and reducing electricity bills.
And today we’re announcing new measures to help with both.
On gas - I’ve asked the Chancellor and Energy Secretary to look at removing standing charges from gas bills at the earliest opportunity.
And on electricity - we will now use the new Energy Wealth Fund to boost investment in renewable energy.
This will enable us to substantially delink gas and electricity prices by the end of this Parliament, helping to bring down bills in the long-term.
This is all part of the fundamental changes we’re making to reduce energy costs over the next 10 years.
Our energy system has been failing our people and our businesses for far too long.
I’m determined to fix that, with greater public control and a common sense approach to the North Sea.
Because this is how we can:
Maximise our energy security.
Back hundreds of thousands of British workers.
Ring-fence future North Sea proceeds to speed up the green transition.
Hit our ambitious climate targets.
And - crucially – bring down bills for good.>>