With Jackdaw approved, what’s next for the North Sea? Analysis A lot has happened since 1 June 2022, the date when ministers first granted permission to tap the Jackdaw gas field. The Conservatives were halfway through their ill-fated final term of three. Kwasi Kwarteng was the business secretary, with equally ill-fated aspirations for higher office. And the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero – [...]
Healey weighs removing standing charges on gas bills Energy Chancellor John Healey is looking at cutting standing charges on gas bills as part of the government’s push to cut household energy costs, the Prime Minister has announced. Speaking in the House of Commons today, Andy Burnham said he had asked the Chancellor and the energy secretary, Miatta Fahnbulleh, to consider stripping “unfair” standing charges [...]
UK government approves Jackdaw production in North Sea boost Energy A major gas field in the North Sea has been re-approved by the government following years of legal rows with environment campaigners. The Jackdaw site, a large offshore natural gas field 150 miles east of Aberdeen, has received the official stamp of approval from the government and is expected to supply gas to the UK [...]
UK ‘uninvestable’ if North Sea projects are blocked October 7, 2026 The UK will be uninvestable in the eyes of most energy companies if the government blocks the Jackdaw and Rosebank oilfields in the North Sea, the boss of Norway’s state-run oil and gas firm has warned. Equinor chief Anders Opedal said his firm could pull out of future projects in the UK if the two [...]
Huge £45m bill for Peckham Rye station upgrade branded ‘scandalous’ October 6, 2026 The huge £45m bill to give Peckham Rye station step-free access – which is backed by a top Cabinet minister – involves forcing builders to use handheld tools to carve bricks and demolishing an art centre in order to complete the works, City AM has found. On Tuesday, energy secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh launched a petition [...]
Diesel crisis: UK minister holds emergency talks with US energy secretary October 2, 2026 Energy secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh is holding crunch talks with her American counterpart about an escalating diesel spat that has seen Treasury secretary Scott Bessent urge Europe to release emergency reserves “immediately”. City AM understands that Fahnbulleh is in direct contact with US energy secretary Chris Wright to discuss a US move to potentially choke off [...]
Burnham’s North Sea ‘pragmatism’ vow leaves energy industry hopeful October 1, 2026 Andy Burnham promised to be “pragmatic” about drilling in the North Sea in his conference speech. Those in Aberdeen say there’s not a moment to lose. Bedecked in her obligatory high-vis jacket and surrounded by hardhard-wearing oil and gas workers, Miatta Fanbulleh’s first ministerial trip was a striking piece of political symbolism. Just three days [...]
Burnham will fail unless he pivots on net zero September 2, 2026 Andy Burnham can’t reindistrialise, create jobs or drive down the cost of living while remaining committed to decarbonisation at any cost, says Joseph Dinnage Andy Burnham has promised a political revolution. Through his programme of devolution, the Prime Minister will apparently create new jobs, reindustrialise Britain and preside over new housing. Very laudable. Though he [...]
‘Broken promises’: Burnham under fire on cost-of-living plans as energy bills set to surge August 26, 2026 Andy Burnham is facing pressure over his commitment to tackle the cost-of-living crisis as energy bills are set to jump again. Opposition figures have accused the Prime Minister of breaking Labour’s pledge to cut household energy bills, with one Tory figure dubbing the price hike “outrageous”. The price cap on bills is set to rise [...]
Meet the new energy minister who believes lower growth is “good news” July 29, 2026 Before becoming an MP, Katie White, the new energy minister advocated for GPs to treat “climate grief” and councils to pay for “guided mindfulness works”, reveals Arthur Reynolds Last week, I brought news of our new Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh’s crusade against cars. Since then, things have gotten worse. Andy Burnham has made a former [...]