Calls are mounting for Prime Minister Andy Burnham to endorse new drilling projects in the North Sea amid growing concerns over Britain’s energy security and economic future. Industry leaders, analysts, and think tanks are urging the prime minister to use his upcoming speech at Labour’s conference to signal support for developments in the Jackdaw and Rosebank oil and gas fields.
The government had initially been expected to approve drilling in the Jackdaw gas field before Parliament adjourned for the conference recess. However, the decision has been delayed and is now unlikely to be announced until after the October 8 by-election in Holborn and St Pancras, where Labour faces a challenge from Green Party leader Zack Polanski. Some within Labour are reportedly cautious about backing new fossil fuel projects, fearing it could boost the Greens’ electoral prospects.
Russell Borthwick, chief executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, described the delay as politically motivated, urging decisions to be made based on economic merits rather than electoral concerns. He emphasized that projects like Jackdaw and Rosebank promise billions of pounds in investment, sustain thousands of jobs, and contribute to energy self-sufficiency by reducing dependence on imports.
Offshore Energies UK, a trade body representing the sector, acknowledges the importance of renewable energy but highlights that over 40% of the UK’s energy is currently imported. The group forecasts the country will require at least 11 billion barrels of oil and gas through 2050 to meet demand. This viewpoint is echoed by Richard Brooks, leader of the Conservative group on Aberdeen’s city council, who called on Burnham to weigh national and local economic interests and use the Labour conference to remove uncertainty around the projects.
Energy analyst Andy Mayer from the Institute of Economic Affairs also pressed for prompt approval, stating that the UK’s significant oil and gas reserves and current high prices make resource development a clear economic and security priority. He suggested that internal party concerns and electoral calculations should not delay decisions affecting the nation’s energy future.
The Conservative Party has linked rising inflation to 3.1% partly to what it terms Labour’s "mad energy policies." Support for drilling has also come from several think tanks. Sean Ridley of the Centre for Policy Studies called for leadership courage, while Fred de Fossard of the Prosperity Institute recommended lifting the windfall tax on North Sea operations and easing regulatory obstacles. Silvia Andreoletti from the Adam Smith Institute warned that continued dependence on imported energy exposes the UK to volatile price shocks and higher costs.
An industry insider cautioned that ongoing postponements could eventually make resource recovery unfeasible, underscoring the urgency of a clear government stance.
However, environmental groups strongly oppose expanding fossil fuel extraction. Areeba Hamid of Greenpeace UK argued that mounting climate-related disasters—including wildfires, droughts, and floods—strengthen the case against Jackdaw and Rosebank. She warned that supporting drilling projects would appear increasingly untenable as extreme weather events intensify.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero acknowledged the continued importance of the North Sea as a national asset. It stated that oil and gas will remain part of the UK’s energy mix during the transition to renewable sources. The department emphasized that any forthcoming decision on drilling will consider the full range of evidence gathered during the public consultation process.