The Papers: 'Drill, Andy Drill!' and a Budget for 'bloody-minded entrepreneurs'
Several of today's papers continue to follow the "storm" surrounding Andy Burnham's decision to approve a new gas field and what that will mean for future ones.
By BBC News
Andy Burnham is facing criticism after the UK Government approved drilling at the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea.
The decision was approved on Wednesday by Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh, allowing the North Sea Transition Authority to give consent for gas production at the site.
Gas from Jackdaw, which is around 150 miles east of Aberdeen, is expected to begin supplying homes and businesses by the end of October.
Mr Burnham said the project would protect hundreds of jobs and help keep millions of homes warm this winter. The Government has also said the development will support energy security and provide an economic boost.
The field is expected to increase domestic gas production by about 6% at its peak. The project’s estimated economic benefit is £2.9bn, according to reports.
The decision has been criticised by environmental campaigners, who have raised concerns about the climate impact of continued North Sea oil and gas production.
Newspaper coverage has focused on the political pressure facing the Prime Minister. The Metro used the headline “Drill, Andy, Drill!”, while the Daily Mail described the approval as a “rare outbreak of common sense”.
The decision could also increase pressure on the Government over the Rosebank oil field. The Guardian reported that Ms Fahnbulleh could still reject the separate Rosebank project, while other political voices have called for approval of new North Sea oil and gas licences.
Jackdaw had previously been approved under the Conservative government in 2022, but the project was delayed following a legal challenge over the assessment of its climate impact.
The Government has said approval of the existing field does not breach its commitment to stop issuing new licences for exploration in new fields.