Andy Burnham, the incoming Prime Minister-elect, will unveil plans to resume oil and gas drilling in the North Sea during his first address to Parliament as prime minister on Monday. The move marks a significant policy shift from his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer, who had opposed new drilling permits. “
Ahead of the announcement, Mr Burnham has been handed a letter from the oil and gas industry and trade unions urging Labour MPs to back the controversial proposal. The letter stressed that backing the sector “is a signal that the country remains committed to producing, building and manufacturing.”
The debate over North Sea drilling has intensified in recent years, with the fields of Rosebank and Jackdaw at its centre. Regulated approval of these sites in 2022-2023 under the previous government were later overturned in 2025 following a legal challenge. Mr Burnham’s commitment to follow his party’s 2024 manifesto cited in court documents would appear to contradict Labour’s earlier pledge to halt new licences while respecting existing ones.
The announcement aligns with Burnham’s broader agenda, which includes nationalising water and energy firms, boosting council homebuilding, and implementing cost-of-living measures. His supporters argue that expanded oil and gas production could revive jobs and stabilize energy prices, particularly amid tensions in the Middle East pushing up global fossil fuel costs. Critics, however, flag tensions between fossil fuel expansion and the UK’s climate commitments. Ed Miliband – the current Energy Secretary and a vocal advocate for renewables – described Rosebank’s licensing as “climate vandalism” earlier this year, while others emphasize that transitioning away from oil must avoid destabilizing power grids.
The policy shift has starkly divided Labour, with some MPs advocating a pragmatic middle path that supports fossil fuel workers while accelerating renewables investment. Former Trump administration officials, meanwhile, have criticized Starmer’s energy policies for failing to capitalize on North Sea reserves. Consumers are bracing for an unknown response to these conflicting pressures, which underpin the energy strategy debates dominating British politics.
As Prime Minister-designate, Burnham has confirmed he is finalizing his cabinet appointments. Figures under scrutiny for top ministerial roles include current Energy Secretary Miliband – seen as heir to renewable energy advocacy – and Shadow Chancellor Shabana Mahmood, who is reportedly lining up to replace Rachel Reeves in the Treasury. A reshuffle is pending once Burnham formally assumes office.
Since ending Sir Keir’s leadership, Burnham has pitched himself as a pragmatic reformer promising “tangible change” through public control of utilities, housing investment, and devolved energy authority. Details aside, his administration’s balancing act between fossil fuel pragmatism and climate priorities will remain a defining tension – potentially reshaping British energy security amid geopolitical instability.
