Burnham to announce plans for new North Sea oil and gas drilling
Summary
Andy Burnham will announce new plans for oil and gas drilling in the North Sea when he becomes prime minister. This decision follows past government approvals of oil fields that were later overturned and is part of broader policy changes including public control of some utilities and council house building.Key Facts
- Andy Burnham will become prime minister on Monday.
- He plans to support new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.
- The Labour Party’s 2024 manifesto had said no new drilling licenses would be issued but would honor existing ones.
- Two major oil fields, Rosebank and Jackdaw, were approved in 2022 and 2023 but stopped in 2025 after a legal challenge.
- Burnham's announcement is part of a group of new policies including public ownership of water and energy companies and more council house building.
- Some Labour members want to protect oil and gas jobs to keep energy costs stable.
- Others want to focus more on renewable energy to help with climate change.
- Energy Secretary Ed Miliband opposes new drilling, calling it harmful to the climate.
- Oil and gas unions and industry groups urged Burnham to support North Sea oil and gas for jobs and economic reasons.
- Burnham recently became Labour leader with strong support from MPs and trade unions.
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