Andy Burnham is set to announce plans to allow more oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.
He is understood to be considering allowing drilling on the Jackdaw and Rosebank oil fields off the coast of Scotland, where licences have already been granted – which would mean the decision would not technically break Labour’s 2024 manifesto pledge not to issue new licences.
It is expected to come alongside a whole slate of measures to try and alleviate the impact of the cost of living crisis and reduce household bills, according to the BBC.
In his inaugural speech as prime minister on Monday, it is anticipated Burnham will nod to the intention to allow drilling at Jackdaw and Rosebank, but officially he will have to wait until they are legally cleared.
In light of the energy crisis sparked by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz amid the US-Israeli war on Iran, many energy experts have called for the UK to make the most of its North Sea oil and gas resources.
