Sunak to use king’s speech to announce new system to award oil and gas licences

Conservatives hope plans will open up clear dividing lines with Labour and protect thousands of jobs

Rishi Sunak will this week announce legislation for a new annual system for awarding oil and gas licences as part of a highly political king's speech which the Conservatives hope will open up clear dividing lines with Labour.

The government said the plans would protect thousands of jobs and bolster energy security, reducing the UK's reliance on imports from hostile foreign regimes such as Russia, even though the UK has committed to move away from fossil fuels.