65% of Labour voters back Rosebank oil field approval

Summarised from 3 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 5 Nov, 13:56 · Archive

A survey found 65% of Labour supporters want the UK government to approve the Rosebank oil field.

A survey of 2,050 adults by Offshore Energies UK found 65% of those who voted Labour in 2024 want the government to approve the Rosebank oil field, the UK's largest undeveloped oil field in UK waters. Only 17% of Labour supporters said it should be rejected. The project lies north-west of Shetland in the North Atlantic and is estimated to contain 300 million barrels of recoverable oil.

The findings present a contrast with Labour's 2024 manifesto under Sir Keir Starmer, which pledged no new oil and gas licences would be granted. The government, now under Prime Minister Andy Burnham, has already approved the Jackdaw gas field off the coast of Aberdeen. Research by Opinium found 68% of Labour supporters agreed that was the right decision.

Support for oil and gas runs broadly across the electorate. Almost three-quarters (72%) of Labour voters surveyed agreed oil and gas are 'essential for the foreseeable future'. Overall, 63% of the general public said Rosebank should be given approval.

Work on Rosebank has been on hold after a legal challenge on climate grounds. Environmentalists have opposed the site, though industry leaders argue it would boost the UK economy and energy security. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh will make the final decision on whether to approve the project.

Not all Labour figures support approval. GB News reports that Richard Burgon, a Labour MP, called the Jackdaw approval 'an absolutely terrible decision' and said the government 'must not repeat the same mistake with Rosebank'. David Whitehouse, chief executive of Offshore Energies UK, said the survey results 'offer Government an opportunity to align with public opinion and start working through the pipeline of North Sea projects that are awaiting approval'.

How it is being reported

• Labour voters back UK's biggest untapped oil field despite Ed Miliband's 'climate vandalism' attackAlmost two-thirds of Labour supporters want to see the Rosebank oil field approved, despite Ed Miliband once describing it as "climate vandalism". Rosebank, in the North Atlantic, is Britain's largest untapped field and is estimated to contain 300 million barrels of recoverable oil. However, work has been on hold after a legal challenge on climate grounds. Environmentalists have fiercely opposed the site, but industry leaders say it would boost the UK's economy and energy security. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Now new polling for Offshore Energies UK revealed 65 per cent of those who…GB News · 5 Nov, 13:38
• 65% of Labour voters want Government to approve Rosebank oil field – surveyA survey found 65% of those who voted for Labour in 2024 support the development of Rosebank, the UK’s largest untapped oil field.Independent Business · 5 Nov, 13:26
• 65% of Labour voters want Government to approve Rosebank oil field – surveyA survey found 65% of those who voted for Labour in 2024 support the development of Rosebank, the UK’s largest untapped oil field.Evening Standard · 5 Nov, 11:58
• 65% of Labour voters want Government to approve Rosebank oil field – surveyA survey found 65% of those who voted for Labour in 2024 support the development of Rosebank, the UK’s largest untapped oil field.Independent Business · 5 Nov, 11:58
• 65% of Labour voters want Government to approve Rosebank oil field – surveyA survey found 65% of those who voted for Labour in 2024 support the development of Rosebank, the UK’s largest untapped oil field.Evening Standard · 5 Nov, 11:32
• 65% of Labour voters want Government to approve Rosebank oil field – surveyA survey found 65% of those who voted for Labour in 2024 support the development of Rosebank, the UK’s largest untapped oil field.Independent Business · 5 Nov, 11:32

In this story: Labour · Rosebank · Offshore Energies UK · Andy Burnham · Shetland · Miatta Fahnbulleh · Richard Burgon · Sir Keir Starmer

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log