Musicians including Massive Attack urge Andy Burnham to block new North Sea drilling projects
Over 200 artists, among them Massive Attack and Brian Eno, wrote to UK Labour leader Andy Burnham urging him to reject the Rosebank oilfield and Jackdaw gasfield proposals.
More than two hundred musicians, including Massive Attack, Brian Eno, Olly Alexander and Paris Paloma, have addressed a letter to Labour leader Andy Burnham calling for the rejection of the Rosebank oilfield and the Jackdaw gasfield in the North Sea. The signatories contend that the developments will not reduce household energy costs and will generate over 250 million tonnes of CO₂, equivalent to about 70 % of the United Kingdom’s yearly emissions, while the projects are projected to bring £10.8 billion of investment and peak construction employment of 3,500.
Environmental groups such as Greenpeace and Stop Rosebank have already challenged the approvals granted by the previous government, and the public consultation closed this week. Burnham faces criticism for perceived silence on climate change as the country experiences record heat and increased hospital admissions. A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson defended the continued role of oil and gas for energy security and jobs. The decision now rests with Labour ministers.
Why it matters
The outcome will shape UK energy policy, climate impact and thousands of jobs tied to North Sea drilling.
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