The UK Labour Government has announced plans to ease sanctions on Russian oil, despite the UK signing a G7 statement reaffirming its commitment to imposing severe costs on Russia.
Meanwhile, domestic oil resources off the Welsh coast and in Aberdeen could be used instead of importing oil from Russia.
The Leader of the Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch MP, noted that this comes at a time where the UK is “losing a 1,000 jobs a month in oil and gas.”
Janet Finch-Saunders, the Member of the Welsh Parliament for Conwy Bangor Môn, and the Welsh Conservative, Shadow Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, said:
“As the cost of living continues to rise due to conflicts around the world, it is more important than ever that we focus on domestic energy and oil production.
“For too long, we have relied on imports from other nations, and residents have paid the financial price. Wales, and the UK as a whole, has the potential to generate its own fuel and energy, greatly improving our long-term sustainability.
“The watering down of these sanctions is deeply concerning, particularly as there are no safeguards in place to prevent this money from funding Russia’s war in Ukraine.”
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS