Cabinet split over approving Rosebank oilfield west of Shetland

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 10:58 · Archive

UK government is divided over whether to approve the Rosebank oilfield, with the energy secretary opposing it and the chancellor backing it.

The UK cabinet is divided over the Rosebank oilfield, a major oil project west of Shetland. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh has signalled she leans towards rejection, citing concerns about its energy security impact. However, Chancellor John Healey and other cabinet colleagues are lobbying for approval. The government has already approved the smaller Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea.

Government insiders say Rosebank can be approved without breaching UK emissions targets on a strict reading of Britain's climate obligations. This is because once oil is exported, the emissions from burning it no longer count against domestic carbon budgets. The Treasury has already factored billions of pounds in tax revenue from Rosebank into budget calculations, and the Office for Budget Responsibility's North Sea Transition Authority revenue figures assume some projects yet to be approved will go ahead.

Climate campaigners and some Labour backbenchers oppose the project, viewing it as a step away from net zero commitments. Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth have urged the prime minister to consider cumulative impacts of major decisions on North Sea drilling, Heathrow expansion and heat pump grants rather than assessing them in isolation. Energy Secretary Fahnbulleh has insisted she alone will decide the project's future, not the chancellor or prime minister.

How it is being reported

• John Healey says Energy Secretary ‘opposed’ reopening Jackdaw in budget statement blunderJohn Healey said Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh opposed reopening the Jackdaw gas field in a major blunder during his budget speech. The Chancellor was celebrating the move to allow North Sea gas to help lower energy prices when his error prompted the Commons to erupt in laughter. Mr Healey began: “To begin the radical reform of energy to reduce bills in the future, Last week, my Right Honourable Friend, the Energy Secretary, opposed-” He looked to Ms Fahnbulleh, who attempted to laugh off the error, amid a chorus of jeers. “She approved the Jackdaw gas field, boosting our energy…GB News · 28 Oct, 13:01
• Cabinet war rages over Rosebank as Chancellor's Budget 'assumes North Sea oil scheme will be approved'While the Government has approved the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea, Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh has yet to rule on the larger oil project west of the Shetlands.Daily Mail · 28 Oct, 10:42
• Rosebank oilfield would not breach UK emission targets, say government insidersEmissions from exported oil would not count against carbon budget, insiders say – reasoning likely to draw dismay from climate campaigners The giant Rosebank oilfield can be approved without breaching the UK’s emission targets, according to government insiders, in a boost to those in the cabinet who are pushing for it to be given the go-ahead. The Guardian revealed last week that Miatta Fahnbulleh, the energy secretary, was leaning towards rejecting the project , but her position has put her at loggerheads with cabinet colleagues, including the chancellor, John Healey , who are lobbying for…The Guardian · 27 Oct, 19:17

In this story: Miatta Fahnbulleh · John Healey · Andy Burnham · Rosebank oilfield · Shetland · Greenpeace · Friends of the Earth

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