US EditionUK must increase North Sea drilling to boost economy, says US ambassador
US ambassador Warren Stephens says increased North Sea drilling could reduce UK electricity costs, four times higher than US, and strengthen economic ties with America.
- In his first broadcast interview, Warren Stephens, US ambassador to the UK, urged Britain to carry out more drilling and production in the North Sea to boost the economy.
- The ambassador told Mornings with Ridge and Frost, `Electricity costs are four times ours in the UK, versus the US` and warned that AI and data centres will drive huge power demand.
- During talks in Aberdeen, Stephens said the prime minister was 'absolutely listening' as he and President Donald Trump lobbied on North Sea drilling, and 'there is a little bit of movement to make changes on the policy.'
- The exchange highlights a split between the US ambassador and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, who says the UK should prioritise net zero by 2030 rather than issuing new drilling licences, while Stephens called Miliband's stance an 'incorrect policy'.
- The ambassador credited historic UK‑US ties for June's trade deal and the UK's favourable tariff rate, highlighting Stephens' start in London in May.
8 Articles
8 Articles
North Sea oil is Labour’s next civil war
There can surely be few areas of the economy which better exemplify the terminal incoherence of Keir Starmer’s government — and the modern Labour Party — than North Sea oil and gas. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is caught between the reality of Britain’s decaying fiscal position and her manifesto commitment not to raise any of the big revenue taxes on ordinary people. As a result, it was reported last week that she will only end the windfall tax on o…
Former US ambassadors Warren Stephens and Donald Trump call on Britain to extract more oil and gas from the North Sea to strengthen its economy to become a better US partner.
UK must increase North Sea drilling to boost economy, says US ambassad
The US ambassador to the UK has said Britain should carry out “more drilling and more production” in the North Sea. In his first broadcast interview in the job, Warren Stephens urged the UK to make the most of its own oil and gas reserves to cut energy costs and boost the economy. “Electricity costs are four times ours in the UK, versus the US,” he told Mornings with Ridge and Frost. “I want the UK economy to be as strong as it possibly can be, …
No New North Sea Oil Wells for First Time Since 1960s: Labour’s Crackdown on Oil and Gas Industry Blamed for Collapse of Exploration in UK Waters
In a stunning blow to the UK’s energy sector, 2025 is set to mark the first year since 1964 without any new exploratory oil wells being drilled in the British North Sea. This is yet another example of bad management and energy policies. According to a Westwood Global Energy survey, no offshore exploration wells have been initiated this year, and none are planned for the remaining months. This unprecedented halt is being squarely blamed on the La…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 75% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
