Burnham tells Trump UK will take pragmatic stance on North Sea drilling

Andy Burnham, newly installed as prime minister, told Donald Trump that Britain would adopt a pragmatic policy toward North Sea oil and gas, emphasizing the resource’s role in easing household hardship. Labour’s election platform promised not to grant fresh drilling licences, yet existing permits would be respected, a stance once defended by former energy secretary Ed Miliband, now foreign secretary. Pressure is mounting from trade unions, industry figures and some Labour MPs to expand extraction, while the Green Party and climate advocates warn that new drilling would worsen the climate crisis.

Trump lauded the conversation, suggesting it would boost the UK’s wealth and energy security. Conservative and Reform parties have also urged more drilling to lower energy costs, whereas critics argue additional output would not directly reduce consumer bills. The debate centers on the Rosebank and Jackdaw fields, whose licences were overturned after a 2025 legal challenge and remain pending.