Deepening concerns over energy prices and imports, with half supporting new North Sea licenses

• Half of Britons (48%) support issuing more licenses for companies to drill new wells for oil and gas in the North Sea, with support highest amongst Reform UK and Conservative 2024 GE voters
• Support is higher for investing in renewables such as wind and solar (69%)
• The majority report feeling concern about current energy prices (85%), the UK’s dependency on energy imports (82%), and potential interruptions in the energy supply to homes (76%)

New data from Ipsos in the UK reveals growing public concerns about energy costs and dependency on imports, a topic of much conversation in light of the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Key findings 

• North Sea Drilling: Half of Britons (48%) support issuing more licenses for companies to drill new wells for oil and gas in the North Sea. Support is highest amongst 2024 GE Reform UK voters (78%) and Conservative voters (69%), compared to 44% of Labour voters.
• Renewable Energy Support: Despite a slight dip from 2025, there remains robust support (69%) for investing in renewable energy.
  
  
   
• Anticipated impact of issuing new North Sea drilling licences: 58% of Britons think issuing new drilling licenses for the North Sea would have a positive impact on the UK’s dependence on other countries for energy, with 53% anticipating a positive impact on the job market and economy in Scotland. However, 1 in 3 think it would have a negative impact on the UK’s ability to meet its targets to reduce carbon emissions (32%) and on reducing climate change and damage to the environment (33%).
• Energy Prices: 85% of UK households express concern over the current energy prices, a figure consistent with previous years.
• Energy Imports: Concern about the UK's dependency on imports is echoed by 82% of Britons.
• Energy Supply: 76% of respondents fear potential interruptions in the energy supply to homes; this compares to 82% who said the same within weeks of Russia invading Ukraine in March 2022.
  

Commenting on the findings, Raquel de Luis Iglesias, Head of Energy & Environment at Ipsos in the UK said:

"Public concern over the UK's dependency on energy imports and potential supply interruptions has rebounded to the peak levels we first recorded following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in 2022. This heightened anxiety suggests a growing tension between immediate economic needs and long-term environmental goals. While investing in renewable energy and improving home efficiency remain the most popular solutions, support for both has softened over the past year, accompanied by a growing openness to domestic fossil fuel production. The debate over issuing new North Sea oil and gas licenses perfectly illustrates this complex landscape: while a majority see benefits for energy independence and the economy, a third of the public fears the negative impact on our climate commitments. Ipsos findings suggest a renewed focus from policymakers is needed on balancing these competing priorities, communicating a comprehensive energy strategy that addresses immediate public anxieties around global supply chain vulnerabilities without losing sight of the UK's crucial net-zero targets.”

Notes to editors: 

• Ipsos interviewed a representative sample of 1,089 adults aged 18-75 across Great Britain. Polling was conducted online between the 27th-31st March 2026. 

• Data are weighted to match the profile of the population. All polls are subject to a wide range of potential sources of error.