Andy Burnham told by Conservative MPs to ‘protect vital pipelines from Russian threats’

Conservative MPs have urged the UK Government to strengthen protection for offshore energy infrastructure after reports of Russian vessels near gas pipelines off Scotland. They say the pipelines are vital to national energy security and want relevant offshore assets given critical national infrastructure status.

The Flags and Frigg pipelines carry gas to the St Fergus terminal in Aberdeenshire, supplying households and businesses. The MPs also called for stronger deterrence and alternative supply assessments, while criticising defence spending and restrictions on new oil and gas licences. The Government says it is committing nearly £300 billion to defence over four years and plans new laws to punish subsea sabotage.