Burnham to announce plans for new North Sea oil and gas drilling
Andy Burnham will announce plans for new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea when he becomes prime minister on Monday, the BBC has been told.
Labour’s 2024 manifesto, which the new leader said he would follow, promised to not issue new licences, but honor existing licences.
At the center of the debate are two oil fields in Scotland – Rosebank and Jackdaw – which regulators approved in 2022 and 2023 under the then Conservative government, but were overturned in 2025 following a legal challenge.
The announcement will form part of a raft of policy measures including Burnham’s plans to bring water and energy companies under public control and a new town hall building programme.
While details of new oil and gas plans are unclear, the North Sea debate is becoming increasingly divisive as Labor figures debate the party’s future direction on energy policy.
Some Labor MPs have called on the government to take a more liberal approach, warning that a move away from oil and gas should protect jobs and the cost of energy bills.
Others supported the government’s current approach, arguing that expanding renewable energy is important for improving energy security and reducing the impact on climate change.
Current Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, who is likely to take on a senior cabinet post under Burnham, has been a staunch supporter of Labour’s manifesto position and has previously described the license granted to Rosebank as “climate vandalism”.
Earlier this week, ahead of the leadership nomination deadline, Burnham was sent a letter from the oil and gas industry and unions urging her and all other Labor MPs to “support North Sea oil and gas”.
It was stated that support for the oil and gas industry was “a sign that the country is determined to produce, build and produce”.
“This is a sign that the government supports the people and places that have strengthened this country for generations,” the letter added.
Burnham, who returned to parliament in a by-election a month ago, cemented her status as the sole leadership candidate after being backed by 379 Labor MPs as well as all 11 of the party’s unions earlier this week.
The New Labor leader said he had completed his senior cabinet duties before taking over from Sir Keir Starmer on Monday.
