Sir Tony Blair's think tank has called on Energy Secretary Ed Miliband to approve two major North Sea oil and gas fields, Jackdaw and Rosebank, to help address Britain's energy crisis. A new paper from the Tony Blair Institute (TBI) argues that the Government should have already taken steps to boost domestic supply before the Iran war sent global prices soaring.
The TBI warns that reaching net zero by 2050 requires a more practical strategy focused on electrification, affordability and resilience. The projects were halted by a Supreme Court ruling in 2024 that emissions from burning fossil fuels must be considered when granting planning permission for new drilling.
Tone Langengen, TBI's energy policy expert, said: “Iran hasn’t just been an energy shock – it’s been a cost-of-living shock and a test of Britain’s economic resilience. But the case for strengthening domestic supply and backing projects like Jackdaw and Rosebank was already strong – the crisis has simply exposed how vulnerable the UK remains without it.”
The think tank argues that a credible strategy must manage the current system, reduce exposure to shocks, and reshape the energy system over time. Langengen added that without such steps, households will face repeated price shocks and the transition to net zero will fail.
The Conservative Party and Reform UK have also called for more North Sea drilling amid the Iran war. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said the decision is a matter for the Energy Secretary. Labour's election manifesto pledged not to approve new oil and gas drilling. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has been contacted for comment.
