Britain is “sleepwalking” into an energy crisis as refineries close, threatening national security and jobs. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch warns that rising costs, red tape, and taxes, including the UK Emissions Trading Scheme, are making refineries unviable, leading to job losses and a decline in essential skills. Badenoch proposes scrapping carbon taxes, ending North Sea drilling bans, and removing green levies to boost industry and lower energy bills, contrasting with Labour’s net zero policies.

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Plans for petrol and diesel rationing are ready to be implemented by the government if the ongoing crisis in the Middle East continues to disrupt supplies and drive prices up.

This week, a Labour Treasury minister did not dismiss the possibility of petrol and diesel rationing due to the persistent conflict in Iran and supply issues on the Strait of Hormuz, which have already led to a surge in petrol prices and scenes of shortages at some petrol stations.

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The Department for Energy Security & Net Zero has laid out plans under its National Emergency Plan for Fuel, detailing how rationing would operate in practice should it be enforced and who would be given priority.

Read More: UK fuel rationing plans