Ed Miliband confirms crackdown on North Sea exploration – but new drilling will continue

Strategy paper released with budget allows new oil and gas projects to move ahead if they are linked to existing fields

The government has ruled out new North Sea oil and gas exploration or lower taxes for fossil fuel companies as it struggles to protect workers from the industry's collapse.

In a strategy paper, Ed Miliband confirmed the crackdown on new North Sea exploration - although the energy secretary will still allow new offshore fossil fuel projects to move ahead as long as they are linked to existing fields.