Ed Miliband looking into more North Sea drilling despite Labour pledge

Exclusive: Energy secretary examining ways to allow oil and gas exploration without breaking manifesto promise

Ed Miliband is planning to encourage drilling in the North Sea despite a manifesto promise not to grant new licences on new parts of the British sea bed.

The energy secretary is looking at ways in which the government can allow companies to look for and produce more oil and gas without breaking Labour's pre-election pledge not to issue new licences on new fields.