UK’s Energy Imports Cost as Much as the Entire Defence Budget, GMB Claims
Just before Parliament’s second reading of the Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill, GMB union fired a harsh warning at the government for its long‑standing inability to secure domestic energy resources.
Numbers that will make you do a double‑take
£56 billion – the annual net cost of importing energy into the UK in 2022.
£57 billion – the national defence budget for the same year.
That means the energy import bill is almost on par with the money spent on keeping the country safe. It’s a staggering comparison that GMB says underlines the Conservative Party’s failure to develop home‑grown energy.
Gary Smith’s Take
“The Conservatives’ failure to build and secure domestic energy sources has pushed the annual import cost to a jaw‑dropping £56 billion,” says Gary Smith, GMB General Secretary. He added, “In a world that’s increasingly volatile, the UK needs tighter control over its energy supply. Leaving policy in Tory hands just hurts the national interest.”
Key Take‑aways
- Energy imports cost £56 billion annually.
- Defence spending sits at £57 billion per year.
- GMB urges the government to boost domestic energy production and craft clearer industrial policy.
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