Mine plans make sense

OIL and coke are vital for British manufacturing; oil to make the wheels of industry turn, coke to enable us to manufacture steel.

Yet this month, the Government has “called in” plans for the new mine off the Cumbrian coast having twice previously refused to do so, and then indicated that it is going to make it much more difficult for oil exploration companies to obtain licences to drill in the North Sea.

The reason is that they are bowing to increasing pressure from the Green Lobby to meet environmental commitments.

There is nothing wrong with such groups having their say, but their views must be balanced against the fact that if we don’t produce oil and coal ourselves, then we shall have to import.

Coal to produce coke is vital to enable the production of steel at a competitive price. The projected mine will generate many jobs in the area, and consequently create opportunities for local, small supporting industries.

Making life more difficult for oil exploration will again have a direct consequence for job creation. If we do not produce our own commodities, then it will cost more to import, thus making British product less competitive. Additionally, transportation from overseas will add to air pollution.

Birmingham and West Midlands manufacturing, already suffering from relatively extremely high electricity and gas prices, will be dead against any further cost pressures as a result of the Government giving way to the environmental lobby.

In addition, post Brexit and Covid, as many well-paid jobs as possible need to be created. By generating opportunities, the Government in turn will reap fiscal benefits through an increased tax take, thus, hopefully reducing our debt mountain. I sincerely trust therefore that the Government will carefully consider and balance the relative merits of a cleaner environment with the necessity of slashing unemployment figures and producing goods that are competitively priced.

Hopefully, the mine will ultimately be allowed to proceed, for it makes both commercial and environmental sense and that the Government will think again about restricting further oil exploration.