Prime Minister Andy Burnham is under pressure over the Government's approach to North Sea oil and gas as consultations on two major drilling projects draw to a close, exposing divisions within the Labour Party.
Consultations close on Jackdaw and Rosebank
A consultation on the Jackdaw gas field, 150 miles east of Aberdeen, closes on Monday (August 10), while a consultation on the Rosebank oil field, north-west of Shetland, closes a week later. The decisions on whether to allow production at the two sites now rest with the Labour Government after a court quashed earlier approvals.
Production at both fields was originally approved by the Conservatives, but those decisions were overturned last year following a legal challenge by Greenpeace. The Labour Party's 2024 manifesto, which Mr Burnham has said he would follow, pledged not to issue new licences but to honour existing ones.
Environmental groups urge refusal
Environmental groups have urged the Prime Minister to refuse permission for the developments, warning that approving them would accelerate climate change. Lang Banks, director of WWF Scotland, said there was “a clear choice to be made by our politicians: further fuel climate chaos, or support a fair transition to a safer future”.
Pointing to “a summer of extreme heat and devastating wildfires”, including near Aberdeen, Mr Banks said it would be “irresponsible to approve new oil and gas developments that would accelerate climate change and do nothing to lower the energy bills of UK households”.
Ami McCarthy, head of politics at Greenpeace UK, said: “Trying to squeeze the last few drops of expensive oil and gas out of the North Sea while the world is reeling from climate impacts is beyond ridiculous. The Government should hold fast on their no new oil and gas commitment. We need true investment in the clean energy industries of the future, which are our only dependable path to good jobs, lower bills, and long-term prosperity.”
Supporters cite jobs and energy security
Supporters of further drilling, including the energy industry, the Conservatives, and some trade unions, argue it will not significantly affect emissions and is vital for protecting jobs. US President Donald Trump has also voiced support for North Sea drilling, saying Mr Burnham “sounded terrific” on the issue in their first phone call last month.
In that call, Mr Burnham told Mr Trump the UK “can’t ignore” resources in the North Sea and said he would take “a pragmatic approach” to further drilling. Scottish MP Graeme Downie backed the projects, saying the UK should “manage the decline of the North Sea in a way that protects workers, supports communities and builds the industries that will power Britain’s future”.
He added: “If we do not proceed with Jackdaw and Rosebank, investment will leave the UK, jobs will disappear and expertise will be lost. We also risk shattering the foundations of our industry and destroying the very skills we need to deliver a low-carbon future for the UK and lead the world on new technology and expertise.”
Internal Labour opposition
Others within Labour warn against granting permission, citing the manifesto commitment. Norwich South MP Clive Lewis called it a “clear commitment” and said allowing production at the two fields would be “a major step backwards”. In a letter to Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh, he noted that analysts said the May and June 2026 heatwaves were associated with more than 2,700 excess heat-related deaths across England and Wales.
He wrote: “These events are becoming more frequent and severe as climate breakdown intensifies, driven largely by greenhouse gas emissions from the burning of fossil fuels, including oil and gas. Against this background, approving new drilling would undermine efforts to address the climate crisis and put a safe, liveable future further out of reach.”
Green leader Zack Polanski said approving Jackdaw and Rosebank would be “a dereliction of duty”, adding: “Whatever weasel words are used on drilling within new or existing licences, one of the new Prime Minister’s first significant decisions would be to break Labour’s manifesto pledge. Jackdaw’s owner have themselves said that only 27 direct full time jobs would be created if given the go ahead. This has nothing to do with boosting the economy for the people of this country and far more to do with boosting obscene profits for fossil fuel companies and their shareholders.”
Political implications
Polling suggests Labour under Mr Burnham has begun to win back some voters lost to the Greens during Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership, but this could be jeopardised if the party is seen to water down its climate commitments.
A Government spokesperson said: “The North Sea remains a vital national asset, supporting jobs, growth and the UK’s energy security. We are clear that oil and gas will continue to play an important role in our energy system for decades to come, alongside renewables, nuclear and other low-carbon technologies. Our focus is on providing stability and supporting North Sea workers and communities as they continue to make a vital contribution to the UK’s economy.”
