New polling suggests the UK public strongly supports continued domestic oil and gas production alongside renewables, with voters also calling for clearer, long-term rules governing how the North Sea is taxed.
The UK-wide survey, commissioned by Offshore Energies UK and conducted by Opinium, found widespread backing for a “pragmatic” approach to energy policy focused on security, stability and a balanced energy mix.
Based on a representative sample of 2,000 UK adults surveyed between March 10 and 13, the research highlights concerns about reliance on imports and strong support for maintaining domestic production.
More than three-quarters (76%) of respondents said they found it convincing that the UK should continue producing its own oil and gas due to global instability, while 74% agreed the country should produce as much as possible rather than rely on imports.
The polling also explored attitudes to taxation of the sector, particularly windfall taxes. While 59% said companies should pay higher taxes when prices are unusually high, a larger proportion (67%) said any such mechanism should be rules-based, offering clarity and predictability.
Support for a permanent, rules-based windfall tax model was also evident, with 45% backing the approach, compared to just 12% opposed.
David Whitehouse, CEO of Offshore Energies UK, said: “The public are clear: the UK needs homegrown energy and a balanced transition that strengthens our national security.
"People want renewables and UK oil and gas working side by side - not one instead of the other - and they want decisions based on long-term rules, not short-term politics.
"A rules-based approach to taxation is part of that stability. It ensures the public receives a fair share in times of genuine windfalls while giving companies the certainty needed to keep investing in UK energy, UK jobs and the UK's transition.”