Burnham says he told Trump UK will be pragmatic about North Sea oil

Former Prime Minister Andy Burnham has stated that he informed US President Donald Trump about the UK's intention to adopt a pragmatic approach to North Sea oil and gas. Trump had previously urged the UK to increase drilling and claimed that Burnham had pledged to open up the North Sea during their first phone call. Burnham acknowledged the existence of the resource and emphasized the importance of addressing the struggles of people when making decisions.

Labour, in its 2024 general election manifesto, vowed not to issue new drilling licenses but pledged to honor existing ones. Ed Miliband, who served as energy secretary in Keir Starmer's government and is now the foreign secretary in Burnham's administration, strongly opposed new licenses, describing the Rosebank license (Britain's largest untapped oil and gas field) as "climate vandalism."

The Labour leader has faced pressure to back increased drilling amidst demands from trade unions, industry representatives, and some Labour MPs.

The government has not officially announced any plans regarding North Sea drilling, but Trump praised the UK government's perceived change of stance on social media before Burnham assumed office. He stated that the North Sea would make the UK a wealthy country if it were opened up. When questioned about the conversation with Burnham, Trump reiterated his support for opening North Sea oil.

Burnham affirmed that his intention is to take a pragmatic approach to North Sea oil and gas moving forward. However, Green Party leader Zack Polanski criticized the move, arguing that allowing new drilling would exacerbate climate breakdown and endanger lives while doing damage to the economy. The Conservatives and Reform Party have advocated for more drilling, claiming it would lower energy prices. Some Labour MPs expressed concerns about the climate emergency and urged the government to follow climate science.

Simon Francis from the End Fuel Poverty Coalition emphasized that households struggling with energy bills would not benefit from additional North Sea drilling, as gas is sold at global market prices. The debate over North Sea drilling centers around two oil and gas fields - Rosebank and Jackdaw - with regulators allowing drilling in the past but overturning it in 2025 after a legal challenge.

The legal proceedings are still ongoing, and the government will eventually need to decide whether to permit production in the two areas.