Why are North Sea oil and gas companies urging Andy Burnham to approve new drilling, and how do they link it to his reindustrialisation agenda?

North Sea oil and gas companies, led by Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) and co-signed by over 10 business groups and the GMB trade union, are urging Andy Burnham to approve more drilling in UK waters to support 'homegrown energy' and demonstrate 'a commitment to UK manufacturing, industrial capability and the skilled workforce that has powered the nation for generations'. They argue that a 'lower-carbon' energy transition would be 'stronger and fairer' if built on an 'all-energy approach' that builds on existing industrial strengths rather than overlooking them — directly aligning their request with Burnham’s stated goal of reversing deindustrialisation and delivering 'good growth in every postcode' through safeguarding sovereign manufacturing and production capability in critical sectors including energy.

What is the current status of the Rosebank and Jackdaw North Sea projects under the new Labour government, and why is Jackdaw reportedly gaining traction while Rosebank remains contentious?

Under the new Labour government, the fates of the Rosebank and Jackdaw projects have remained in limbo despite Labour’s manifesto pledge to ban new exploration licences — a pledge not breached since both projects were granted licences under the previous government. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband had previously labelled Rosebank 'climate vandalism' and was expected to block both, but is now reportedly willing to consent to Jackdaw to bolster his credibility as a potential chancellor; Jackdaw could begin producing gas for British homes as soon as this winter, whereas Rosebank would take longer to start production and would export most of its oil to European refineries.

North Sea Oil Industry Urges Burnham to Approve New Drilling in UK Waters

Jul 14, 2026

UK oil industry lobbyists urged Labour MPs to approve new North Sea drilling projects, citing energy security and industrial competitiveness, as Prime Minister-designate Andy Burnham prepares to take office.

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North Sea Oil Industry Urges Burnham to Approve New Drilling in UK Waters

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