Rishi Sunak announces expansion of oil and gas drilling in the North Sea – UK politics live

Rishi Sunak has confirmed hundreds of new oil and gas licences will be granted in the UK.

The prime minister said new oil and gas drilling licences for the North Sea would help the UK achieve net zero carbon emissions – and that the plan would strengthen the UK’s energy independence and reduce reliance on hostile states, such as Russia.

Sunak, who is visiting Aberdeenshire today,…