Labour has given the Jackdaw gas field the go-ahead, after a long wait on a final decision.
The Conservatives initially approved the North Sea project in 2023 but environmental campaigners brought a stop to it after claiming consent was given unlawfully. Now, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch went to X to share her thoughts on the decision.
She said: “Finally. Labour spent 2 years faffing about to make a decision which Conservatives had already approved 2 years ago. If they’d done this in the summer we’d have had that gas heating British homes this Christmas. An unnecessary waste of time and money by a party that puts its own interest above the country’s.”
Scotland’s Energy Minister, Stephen Gethins has welcomed the decision in a more positive light, as he looks ahead to what it means for the future of importation.
He said: “We have been clear that utilising domestic oil and gas resources is preferable to international sources, where importation leads to a bigger carbon footprint. We would expect that this, alongside wider climate compatibility assessment, has been the basis of the UK Government’s decision and look forward to seeing the detail of this.”
However, the Libera Democrats say that the decion is proof that the country needs to increase electrification.
Pippa Heylings MP, the party’s Energy Security and Net Zero Spokesperson, said: “The fact that this new field is being taken forward during a climate crisis is proof that Britain hasn’t moved anywhere near fast enough when it comes to reducing demand for gas and oil in our homes and transport – that’s exactly why Liberal Democrats continue to urgently call for a national electrification strategy.”
Away from political parties, there has been the anticipated outrage from climate groups, including Fossil Free London who referenced the recent climate disasters across the world when emphasising the groups distain for Rosebank.
Robin Wells, Director, said:“Our government must not double down on madness now. They must not lap-up industry propaganda again for the next North Sea project in their in-tray. If they believe in a future that protects people’s homes and safety, not endangers them, they must stop Rosebank.”
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