CLIMATE activists gathered outside Parliament today to voice their outrage against the Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill ahead of its second reading in the Commons.

Members of Fossil Free London (FFL), Just Stop Oil (JSO), Extinction Rebellion (XR) and Scientists for XR held banners and placards as MPs entered Parliament.

The campaigners warn that if passed, the Bill will allow fossil fuel corporations to bid for new North Sea licences every year.

The government and North Sea Transition Authorities recently announced plans to give out more than 100 production licences for new oil and gas extraction in the North Sea.

FFL spokeswoman Joanna Warrington said the Bill is “nothing short of deadly,” adding: “Pressing ahead with fossil fuel expansion plans [amid] climate breakdown just makes us less energy secure and fuels the UK’s freak floods as more of our coastal homes drop into the sea.

“The government is making plain the interests they serve: oily millionaires burning our house down, for profit.”

Pete Knapp of Scientists of XR warned that new licences would do nothing to bring down energy bills or help with energy security as the majority of the oil produced under the projects will be sold on the world market.

He said that new oil and gas explorations are also incompatible with the Paris Agreement resolution to limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5°C, adding: “The government is either scientifically illiterate, playing political games with our futures, or just doesn’t care — most likely all three.

“After everyone agreed to transition away from fossil fuels at Cop28 in December, what message is this sending to the rest of the world?”

NHS GP and JSO supporter Kush Naker said: “This Bill shows us the government’s true priorities: they are happy to sacrifice the lives of the British public to maximise oil company profits.

“This government is addicted to oil, even though it is killing us. It’s like we have cancer, but the government is still forcing us to smoke more cigarettes.

“Many Tory MPs know they'll be kicked out at the next election, so they’ve become even more unhinged.

“They’re using these last few months to rush through more Bills to please their billionaire chums in a desperate hope they’ll be offered jobs once they lose their seats. It’s pure greed.”