Burnham and Healey move to approve Rosebank oil drilling despite Miliband's opposition
Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey intend to green-light drilling at the Rosebank field, overriding Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh.
According to sources in Whitehall, Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey are set to approve drilling at the Rosebank oil field in the North Sea, defying opposition from Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh. Rosebank, located about 80 miles west of the Shetlands, contains roughly 500 million barrels of oil and would emit far more CO₂ than the recently approved Jackdaw gas field.
The decision is being taken amid a precarious budget process, high borrowing costs and limited fiscal headroom. To mitigate environmental criticism, the government plans to channel part of the proceeds into the Energy Wealth Fund, seeding it with £2 billion for low-carbon technologies. Trade unions and most of the Parliamentary Labour Party have backed the move, arguing it safeguards jobs and national energy security. Polling cited by Lord Ashcroft shows nearly half of voters favour lifting the ban on North Sea oil exploration.
Why it matters
The approval would boost UK oil output and fiscal revenue while sparking debate over climate commitments and energy security.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTCentrist coverage presents Rosebank as a contested oil field caught in a political storm with environmental concerns, while right-leaning coverage frames the government's approval as a decisive move overcoming opposition and emphasizes economic and fiscal aspects.
CENTER
Portrays Rosebank as a politically charged oil field with higher emissions and lucrative prospects, highlighting the controversy.
RIGHT
Frames the approval as a bold government decision that defies opposition, stressing economic benefits, budget pressures, and mitigation funding.
The right emphasises
- the move defies opposition from senior ministers
- the field would emit far more CO₂ than the Jackdaw gas field
- the government will channel proceeds into the Energy Wealth Fund for low-carbon technologies
How this story developed
- Oct 20 UK Labour government poised to green-light controversial Jackdaw North Sea gas project
- Oct 21 The government granted drilling consent for the Jackdaw gas field.
- Oct 21 Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh is expected to reject the Rosebank oil project.
- Oct 22 Government faces renewed calls to approve the Rosebank oil and gas project following the Jackdaw approval.
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