Prime Minister Andy Burnham is facing fresh demands to approve two major North Sea oil and gas developments when he visits Scotland later this week, amid growing concerns about jobs, investment and the future of the energy industry.
Scottish Conservative shadow energy secretary Andrew Bowie MP issued the challenge on Tuesday 13 October, ahead of Burnham’s expected visit on Friday, which coincides with the SNP’s annual conference in Aberdeen.
Bowie wants the Prime Minister to give the green light to the Jackdaw gas field and Rosebank oil field, arguing that continued uncertainty is damaging investor confidence and putting livelihoods at risk.
The two developments have become central to a wider argument about Britain’s energy security, with supporters insisting that domestic production is essential while the country continues to depend on oil and gas.
Both projects previously secured approval under the Conservative Government, but those decisions were overturned following legal challenges concerning the assessment of emissions from burning the fuels produced.
Fresh applications have since been submitted, with decisions still subject to the regulatory process.
The Scottish Conservatives believe approval would send an important signal to the energy industry, particularly in Aberdeen and the North East, where thousands of jobs depend on offshore activity.
Bowie also pointed to the Conservatives’ victory in the Aberdeen South parliamentary by election in June, when Douglas Lumsden secured approximately half the votes cast.
He argues that the result demonstrated strong public support for continued North Sea production, although the election involved a wider range of political issues.
Bowie said:
“Andy Burnham must use his first major trip to Scotland to finally give the green light to new drilling in the North Sea.
“His dithering over granting approval for Jackdaw and Rosebank is having a devastating effect on investment in the sector.
“While he continues to sit on the fence, 1,000 workers a month are losing their jobs because of Labour and the SNP’s ban on new North Sea projects.
“What more does the Prime Minister need to wait for?
“It is absolute madness that our energy security is becoming ever more reliant on imports when we could be maximising our own resources in the North Sea.
“Voters in Aberdeen South sent the loudest possible message to both of Scotland’s governments when they elected Douglas Lumsden as their new Scottish Conservative MP with half of votes cast, because he was unequivocal in his support for new drilling.
“If Andy Burnham wants to show he’s serious about protecting jobs and standing up for one of Scotland’s most important industries, then he will mark this trip by giving approval so these projects can get under way as soon as possible.”
The dispute also reflects competing views about how Britain should balance existing energy requirements with its commitment to reducing carbon emissions.
Supporters of the developments argue that producing more oil and gas domestically would protect employment, strengthen supply chains and reduce dependence on imports.
Environmental campaigners question whether additional production would deliver significant energy security benefits, particularly when much of Britain’s domestically produced oil is exported.
The UK Government has maintained that decisions on Jackdaw and Rosebank must follow the established regulatory process, with final consent resting with the North Sea Transition Authority.
Burnham’s Scotland visit will therefore bring renewed attention to decisions carrying considerable importance for the North East’s economy and the future direction of British energy policy.
