3 publishers · first seen Mon, 26 Oct 2026 18:09 UTC · updated Thu, 29 Oct 2026 06:00 UTC
Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh has not yet decided whether to approve the Rosebank oilfield, and her office has stressed that she alone will make the decision based on environmental criteria. Chancellor John Healey is reported to support the project, while Labour MPs including Catherine Fookes and Clive Lewis have expressed strong concerns, warning it would undermine climate goals and the party's manifesto. Scottish Labour leader Michael Marra has urged Fahnbulleh to approve Rosebank, citing economic benefits and investment, following her approval of the Jackdaw gas field last week.
The government maintains the decision is regulatory, not political, though internal divisions have emerged. The Office for Budget Responsibility has included Rosebank in its revenue forecasts, estimating around £500m in tax receipts by the end of the parliament. Rosebank is the UK's largest untapped oil field, located 80 miles north-west of Shetland. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said the use of reserves can support a clean energy future, while environmental groups argue new drilling contradicts climate commitments.
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