Sunak blasts Starmer for 'playing into Putin's hands' as Labour's plans put '200,000 jobs at risk'
Rishi Sunak at Prime Minister's Questions today
Parliament
Rishi Sunak has accused Sir Keir Starmer of playing into Vladimir Putin's hands as he warned that Labour's latest energy plan could put tens of thousands of jobs at risk.
The Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition returned to the House of Commons at midday following Sunak's hiatus to visit Washington DC last week.
The pair locked horns over several issues, including Boris Johnson's honours lists.
However, Sunak took a major swipe at Starmer over Labour's energy plan.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called for a general election
Parliament
The Prime Minister warned it could leave the United Kingdom vulnerable to Russia as he argued Vladimir Putin would welcome the move.
He said: “Mr Speaker, if you want disastrous economic ideas all you have to do is [look at] Labour’s economic policy on energy.
“It’s an energy policy that seeks to ban all new British oil and gas drilling, Mr Speaker, jeopardising 200,000 jobs and our energy security at a time of international conflict.
“Despots like Putin are the only people who will welcome such a policy.
Oil platform Stena Spey being moved with tug boats
PA
“His predecessor [Gordon Brown] once said that he wanted British jobs for British works.
“His policy is British jobs for Russian workers."
Sunak's comments come just weeks after Labour confirmed it will block all new domestic oil and gas developments if it wins the next election.
Southside will instead look to invest heavily in renewable sources, including wind and nuclear power.
Rishi Sunak suggested Russian President Vladimir Putin would welcome Labour's energy plan
Reuters
Shadow Work & Pensions Secretary Jonathan Ashworth confirmed Labour will announce its detailed plan soon.
Starmer is expected to formally set out his energy vision for Britain during a visit to Scotland this month.
A Labour source recently said: "We are against the granting of new licences for oil and gas in the North Sea.
"They will do nothing to cut bills as the Tories have acknowledged; they undermine our energy security and would drive a coach and horse through our climate targets.
Oil platforms stand amongst other rigs which have been left in the Cromarty Firth near Invergordon in the Highlands of Scotland
PA
“But Labour would continue to use existing oil and gas wells over the coming decades and manage them sustainably as we transform the UK into a clean energy superpower.”
The Leader of the Opposition appeared reluctant to tackle the Prime Minister head on over the matter at this week's despatch box bout.
He instead replied: “If he spent as much time focused on the economy, the NHS and the asylum system as he does haggling with his predecessors about who gets honours, the country would be in a far better state.
“But once again he’s lost control and once again it’s working people paying the price.
Rishi Sunak warned Labour's plan could risk as many as 200,000 jobs
PA“If he disagrees with that, why not put it to the test.
“End the boasting, the excuses, the Tory chaos.
"See if he can finally find somebody, anybody, anywhere to vote for him and call a general election now.”