Is Burnham promising a new dawn for North Sea oil and gas?
The incoming PM is expected to announce fresh support for the North Sea from day one of his premiership.
By BBC News
Incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham is expected to signal fresh support for new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea within days of taking office on Monday. Reports indicate Burnham will announce plans to approve new licences, marking a shift from the Labour Party’s 2024 manifesto which pledged not to issue new licences while honouring existing ones.
Although no final decision has been made, Burnham is expected to indicate he is in favour of increased drilling, with projects including Jackdaw and Rosebank under consideration. Formal approvals for Jackdaw and Rosebank are unlikely until ongoing public consultations conclude, but Burnham is reportedly open-minded about new oil and gas licences.
The North Sea announcement is expected to form part of a series of initiatives from Burnham, including plans to bring water and energy companies under public ownership and a new council house-building programme. Burnham is also preparing to scrap Sir Keir Starmer’s flagship digital ID programme in one of his first acts as prime minister when he takes office on Monday.