Burnham to Unveil 2 North Sea Drilling Plans as Labour Reopens Energy Policy Split
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 18
Burnham to Unveil 2 North Sea Drilling Plans as Labour Reopens Energy Policy Split
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 18
Summary
Monday’s incoming prime minister, Andy Burnham, is set to announce new North Sea oil and gas drilling plans, marking an early break from Labour’s 2024 pledge not to issue new licences.
Two Scottish fields — Rosebank and Jackdaw — sit at the center of the dispute after approvals granted in 2022 and 2023 were overturned in 2025 following a legal challenge.
379 Labour MPs and all 11 affiliated trade unions backed Burnham’s leadership bid, and industry groups plus unions this week urged him to “back North Sea oil and gas” to protect jobs and energy costs.
The move exposes a sharp Labour divide: some MPs want a looser stance during the energy transition, while Ed Miliband and other supporters of the manifesto line argue renewables better serve energy security and climate goals.
The drilling plan is expected alongside a broader Monday package that includes proposals to bring water and energy companies into public control and launch a council house-building program.
Will new drilling truly save North Sea jobs or just delay the inevitable transition to green energy?
If new oil is sold globally, how will North Sea drilling actually lower household energy bills?
Why revive banned oil projects when renewables are now cheaper and offer greater energy security?
Labour’s North Sea Pivot: Burnham’s 2026 Decision on Rosebank and Jackdaw Amid Economic and Climate Pressures
Overview
Incoming UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is expected to announce a major shift in the government's approach to North Sea oil and gas drilling, focusing on the future of the Rosebank and Jackdaw fields. This decision, anticipated around July 18, 2026, will likely define his administration's energy policy. Although formal approval for these projects may be delayed due to ongoing legal and procedural issues, Burnham's direction is becoming clearer. The projects remain in legal uncertainty after previous court overturns, but the government's evolving stance signals a new phase for UK energy policy under Burnham's leadership.