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Andy Burnham faces choice on drilling as North Sea consultation closes

On Monday, the consultation on Jackdaw, a gas field 150 miles east of Aberdeen, closes, while the Rosebank oil field consultation ends next week. Prime Minister Andy Burnham faces mounting pressure over these potential drilling approvals.
The Conservatives previously approved production at both sites, but a court quashed those decisions last year after a challenge from Greenpeace. The Labour Government must now decide whether to proceed.
Supporting drilling, President Donald Trump and industry groups argue it protects jobs and cuts bills; Burnham told Trump the nation "can't ignore" North Sea resources and promised a "pragmatic approach" to further drilling.
Critics including WWF Scotland director Lang Banks warn new drilling would "further fuel climate chaos." Norwich South MP Clive Lewis cited analysts linking 2026 heatwaves to more than 2,700 excess deaths across England and Wales.
Labour remains split on the issue, as watering down environmental commitments could jeopardize the party's ability to retain voters who switched to the Greens since 2024. Approving production risks breaking a key manifesto pledge.

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Labour urged to 'end the madness' over North Sea and approve gas field that could heat 1.4m homes

The Government has been urged to “end the madness” over the North Sea and approve a controversial gas field that could meet six per cent of UK demand. Work has halted on the Jackdaw gas field, 150 miles east of Aberdeen, following a legal challenge on climate grounds. A consultation on its future closes today and supporters say it would provide enough domestic gas to heat 1.4 million homes. But opponents have demanded it remains closed. They say…

8 hours ago·London, United Kingdom

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