Overview
- President Donald Trump publicly said this week that Andy Burnham told him he would “open up North Sea oil” after a phone call between the two leaders.
- Mr Burnham confirmed he told Mr Trump he would take a “pragmatic approach” and said the UK “can’t ignore” North Sea resources while stopping short of announcing any formal change to Labour’s 2024 manifesto pledge.
- Public consultations on the contested Jackdaw and Rosebank projects run into mid‑August and the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) is due to advise ministers before any decision is made.
- Labour deputies and ministers have insisted the party will respect its manifesto commitment not to issue new licences even as industry lobbyists push for approvals and campaigners warn of increased climate harm.
- Any move to allow drilling would rely on legal and regulatory routes because Jackdaw and Rosebank hold a complex history of prior approvals and court challenges that could prompt new litigation and political backlash.