Ed Miliband has reportedly imposed an immediate ban on new North Sea oil and gas drilling, a decision that overrules his officials and may lead to legal action.
According to reports, the Energy Secretary instructed regulators not to approve any new drilling licences, halting plans that were expected to be confirmed soon.
This decision could potentially have significant effects on the north-east of Scotland, impacting the local economy and energy industry.
The Telegraph reports that this ban could result in costly legal disputes.
The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) was considering applications for 35 new sites, and as recently as Wednesday, stated there were no plans to change the policy.
The NSTA mentioned that a small number of applications were still under consideration, with a few more potentially being offered later.
Energy Live News has contacted the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero for comment.
