MondayJuly312023thetimes.co.ukNo74162RishiSunakwillcommithimselftodaytopressingaheadwithoilandgasexplorationandproductionintheNorthSeaasheseekstoopenupdividinglineswithLabour.TheprimeministerwilluseatriptoScotlandtoconfirmthatthegovern-mentwillissue100licencestocom-paniesthatwanttoextractoilandgasfromtheNorthSea.ThelicenceswillbegrantedinSeptember.Hewillalsoseekto“maxout”productionoftheNorthSea’sremain-ingreservesbyagreeingtofurtherlicensingroundsinthefutureinanattempttodriveupproduction.Labourhassaiditisopposedtoissuingnewoilandgaslicencesamidconcernsabouttheimpactontheenvironmentandquestionsoverwhethertheyrepresentvalueformoney.Thepartywillrevokeanyl...