Prime Minister Andy Burnham has agreed to deploy RAF support to Saudi Arabia to protect energy supplies from Houthi attacks, as his government continues to delay decisions on major oil and gas projects in the North Sea.
Saudi Arabia has been forced to cut some oil shipments to European refineries after drone attacks damaged a key export pipeline, raising fears of a fresh supply shock which could push up fuel prices and inflation.
Diesel has surpassed £2 a litre this week, while energy companies have forecast household bills could rise by 25% in January, adding £429 to the average annual bill.
Burnham said RAF aircraft would provide “defensive” air-to-air refuelling for Saudi fighter jets, saying the intervention was “in the interests of Britain”.
He said Saudi Arabia was “looking at potential further disruption” and that the UK needed to help keep energy routes open.
Meanwhile, decisions on the Jackdaw and Rosebank developments in the North Sea remain outstanding, with reports the decision has been delayed until after a by-election contest with the Green Party next month.
The uK Government has said the North Sea remains a vital national asset and that oil and gas will continue to play an important role in Britain’s energy system for decades.