Miliband Considers North Sea Drilling Approval Amid Chancellor Speculation
Potential Treasury appointment drives shift on energy policy as industry and environmental groups clash over Jackdaw project.
Image: Matt Weston / AI
Sarah Connor
Ed Miliband is under consideration for the role of Chancellor under incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham, a development coinciding with a potential shift in his stance on North Sea drilling.
Ed Miliband views the decision on drilling as a critical opportunity to signal his engagement with the City.
Miliband operates with a pragmatism that exceeds his public portrayal, indicating a departure from previous, more hardline positions.
The Energy Secretary confirms Miliband privately suggested he supports plans for drilling at the Jackdaw gas field.
Miliband wants to approve the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea to boost his chances of being named as Burnham's Chancellor.
The Jackdaw development is located in the North Sea, off the Aberdeen coast, a region central to Britain's energy infrastructure.
The previous government issued licences for both Rosebank and Jackdaw, establishing a precedent for their continued development.
Beyond the legal debate, industry lobbyists wrote to over 400 Labour MPs, advocating for increased oil and gas drilling in UK waters.
The letter, co-signed by Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), more than 10 business groups, and the GMB trade union, emphasizes robust support for homegrown energy and UK manufacturing.
OEUK and its co-signatories state the transition to a lower-carbon energy system strengthens through an all-energy approach that leverages existing industrial strengths.
OEUK confirms Britain will continue to require oil and gas for decades to come.
It could meet six percent of the UK's gas demand from October 1.
Adura chief executive Neil McCulloch calls approval for the Jackdaw project 'hyper-critical,' stating it could meet six percent of the UK's gas demand from October 1.
McCulloch confirms the wells are drilled and hooked up, with systems readying for an October 1 operational date.
Meanwhile, Shadow Scottish Secretary Andrew Bowie advocates for maximum economic recovery from Britain's fossil fuel reserves, aligning with industry calls.
An MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine states that without domestic drilling, the UK would become increasingly dependent on foreign imports, leading to higher associated emissions.
However, Robert Palmer, deputy director of environmental campaign group Uplift, calls it 'a bit rich' for the oil and gas industry to assert it stands with workers or that more drilling will improve energy security.
After 60 years of drilling, the North Sea is a declining, ultra-mature basin, with most remaining reserves being oil destined for export. New drilling will do little for energy security and I urge Labour to invest in industries with a future, such as wind manufacturing, to create sustainable jobs.
Palmer states that after 60 years of drilling, the North Sea is a declining, ultra-mature basin, with most remaining reserves being oil destined for export.
Palmer argues new drilling will do little for energy security and urges Labour to invest in industries with a future, such as wind manufacturing, to create sustainable jobs.
Critics view Ed Miliband's sudden conversion to North Sea drilling as a shameless bid to secure the Chancellor's job.
Adrian Ramsay of the Green Party states granting new drilling licences betrays future generations and will not alleviate the cost of living crisis.
Ramsay finds it 'shocking' if Ed Miliband caves to fossil fuel interests in this manner, questioning the party's environmental commitments.
This strategic shift follows economic pressures, as Great Britain’s electricity prices are approximately 45% above the G7 median.
The UK government's priority remains a fair, orderly, and prosperous transition in the North Sea, in line with climate and legal obligations.