REFORM UK PROPOSES IMPERIAL MEASURES AND ROSEBANK APPROVAL

Reform UK says it would approve the Rosebank oil field and allow wider use of imperial measurements under a package of more than 60 measures it claims would create jobs. Robert Jenrick, the party’s treasury spokesperson, is due to set out the proposals in a speech on Monday. Reform also proposes a ban on low-traffic neighbourhoods and support for other North Sea oil projects. Jenrick said the measures would appear in Reform’s first Budget and would “cost the taxpayer nothing”. Chancellor John Healey is due to present his Budget on 28 October.

Reform’s package also includes proposals for new runways at Heathrow and Gatwick airports. The party says it would reduce regulation, remove some environmental protections and lower affordable housing requirements for new developments. Jenrick plans to publish a rival Budget document setting out the choices Reform says it would make. The Conservatives have called for Rosebank’s approval, an end to Labour’s ban on new North Sea licences and the removal of the energy profits levy on oil and gas companies. Shadow energy secretary Andrew Bowie said working families needed lower energy bills.

Liberal Democrat energy spokeswoman Pippa Heylings said approving Rosebank would do nothing to change household energy bills. She said the UK would need oil and gas for decades during a transition to cleaner energy, while calling on the government to reduce dependence on both. Jenrick criticised Healey’s forthcoming Budget, saying it appeared likely to delay decisions he considered necessary. He also criticised Andy Burnham and said Reform wanted to “spend less, tax less, borrow less”. The competing proposals come ahead of Healey’s Budget on Wednesday.