Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he will not abandon the responsibility of fighting the climate crisis, despite the government approving the Jackdaw gasfield. He pledged to block new North Sea licences and keep Britain on track for net zero by 2050. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said she alone will decide whether to approve the Rosebank oilfield, a decision sources say she is minded to block. Fahnbulleh also said she was sad about the breakdown of cross-party consensus on climate action. Burnham also announced that military aircraft would fight wildfires for the first time.
Climate campaigners and green experts have condemned the UK government's decision to allow drilling at the Jackdaw gasfield in the North Sea. They say the approval will jeopardise UK climate targets and fail to lower living costs. Critics argue the gas will be sold on international markets, so it will not boost UK energy security. Campaigners say the project will create only 27 full-time jobs. Several Labour MPs are reportedly disappointed, while the Green party says the decision will cost the party climate credibility.
Britain has approved the Jackdaw North Sea gas field after years of legal and political dispute. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said gas could reach homes and businesses from the end of October. The government also plans a new Energy Wealth Fund, starting with a 2 billion pound down payment, to reinvest oil and gas revenues in the green transition. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the move would help people facing high bills. The Green Party called the decision climate vandalism, while the Unite union welcomed it. Jackdaw is run by Adura, a joint venture of Shell and Equinor.
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The UK government is set to approve drilling at the Jackdaw gasfield in the North Sea on Wednesday, a decision to be announced from Aberdeen. The field is operated by Shell and Equinor. Climate campaigners have criticised the move, saying it undermines Labour's green commitments. A recent poll found nearly a third of voters would be less likely to back Labour if it approved more North Sea drilling. The decision on the larger Rosebank field is expected later this year.
