Overview
- Make UK urged Energy Secretary Ed Miliband to approve production at the Rosebank oil field and Jackdaw gas field, warning prolonged high energy costs threaten factories and risk accelerating de‑industrialisation.
- Rosebank, described as Britain’s largest undeveloped oil field, and Jackdaw are presented by industry as short‑to‑medium term support for energy security while manufacturers continue investing in renewables.
- Oil spiked above $100 a barrel after Middle East tensions and Strait of Hormuz disruptions and is now around $90, with analysts warning sustained increases could weigh on the UK economy.
- Miliband has resisted new licences, saying more domestic drilling would not lower prices set on global markets, while critics counter that local production could raise tax receipts and reduce reliance on imports to fund energy infrastructure.
- GB News reported previous approvals for both projects were overturned by the Scottish Court of Session on environmental grounds, meaning fresh assessments are required before any government sign‑off.