Andy Burnham slaps down net zero zealot Ed Miliband as he prepares to launch new oil and gas drilling in North Sea

New Prime Minister Andy Burnham has taken a swipe at net zero champion Ed Miliband with plans to launch new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.

He will reportedly announce his plans when he becomes Prime Minister on Monday.

It follows fierce debate over the future of two oil and gas fields in Scotland – Rosebank and Jackdaw – where licenses were approved in 2022 and 2023 and canceled last year.

Sir Keir Starmer has previously faced criticism for his opposition to fossil fuel drilling; He argued that granting new licenses did not mean cheaper bills for customers, as supporters claimed.

Instead, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, often branded a ‘net zero fanatic’, has promoted renewable energy sources that do not contribute to climate change.

But amid pressures on energy prices, including the war between the US and Iran, Reform and Conservatives pushed the government to approve the new licenses.

This would go against the party’s 2024 manifesto, which pledged that no new licenses would be issued for oil and gas.

Miliband, who previously described the decision to license Rosebank as ‘climate vandalism’, has been touted as a potential Chancellor under Andy Burnham, but Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has also been put forward in recent days.

It comes after fierce debate over the future of two oil and gas fields in Scotland – Rosebank and Jackdaw

It’s unclear exactly what Burnham’s plans for oil and gas include, but it’s thought he’ll make a series of policy-related announcements next week.

Ahead of her elevation to the top job, unions representing the oil and gas industries sent Burnham a letter urging her to support them.

Any new licenses could signal further disagreements between him and Miliband, who is likely to take a cabinet post.

While Burnham’s allies insist she has not yet made final decisions on cabinet roles, those decisions are expected to be announced on Monday.

Expected policy statements include plans to nationalize water and energy companies and launch a town hall construction programme.

In his speech on Friday he vowed to create ‘the most significant moment of change in our politics in 40 years’.

Burnham accused politicians of ‘ceding control’ of housing, water, energy and transport and also said she would overhaul social services.

Burnham is expected to say she wants to make a ‘tangible’ change in people’s lives in her highly anticipated speech after becoming Prime Minister on Monday.

While Burnham’s allies insist she has not yet made final decisions on cabinet roles, those decisions are expected to be announced on Monday.

The former Manchester mayor is set to unveil measures to tackle the cost of living and ‘grasp the nettle’ that is social care reform.

It is also said to be considering capping bus fares across the country to £2; this is something he has previously introduced in Greater Manchester.

However, most of the speculation centers on who will form the Burnham government alongside him.

Allies including Angela Rayner and Louise Haigh are expected to regain acceptance into cabinet positions, while potential rivals such as Wes Streeting are also expected to hold senior positions.

Current Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to remain in government, but in a different role.