LIZ TRUSS’s plans to approve more North Sea oil drilling licences if she becomes prime minister will do nothing to bring down energy bills, environmental campaigners have warned. 

In response to the energy crisis, allies of the Tory leadership candidate are said to have been discussing proposals to approve up to 130 new gas and oil licences, according to today’s Times newspaper. 

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng and Brexit Opportunities Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg, who both back Ms Truss, have reportedly been meeting with oil and gas companies to negotiate a deal to secure more energy this winter.