Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh are considering approving drilling at the Rosebank oil field after a court withdrew its consent last year, testing Labour's pledge not to issue new North Sea licences.
The UK's largest unexploited oil and gas field, Rosebank lies roughly 130 km from Shetland. The government launched a public notice period closing August 17, 2026, after a January 2025 court ruling found original consent was granted unlawfully. Ithaca Energy holds a 20 percent stake in the project; its parent, Delek Group, has been blacklisted by the UN for activities in illegal Israeli settlements. Fossil Free London campaigners protested outside the energy department on July 23.
Lucy Powell confirmed Burnham will adhere to Labour's manifesto on North Sea drilling, though tieback arrangements may allow new extraction without breaking the commitment. A University of Oxford analysis found renewables could save households up to £441 annually, compared with £16 to £82 from maximising North Sea output.