Andy Burnham to announce new North Sea oil and gas drilling to prove ‘pro-business’ credentials – in blow to ‘Red Ed’ Miliband’s Net Zero agenda
Andy Burnham is reportedly set to approve new North Sea oil and gas drilling licences as one of his first acts on becoming prime minister, a move framed as demonstrating "pro-business" credentials. The decision would represent a significant challenge to the Net Zero strategy associated with Ed Miliband, signalling a shift in emphasis within the new government's energy policy as Burnham takes office.
The North Sea announcement appears to be part of a wider "reset" of priorities under Burnham, who is also reported to be scrapping the digital ID scheme introduced under his predecessor, Keir Starmer. Full details of the drilling plan, including scale and timing, were not available in the material provided, though the move is being characterised as a deliberate break from the previous administration's environmental approach.
In short
- Burnham to approve new North Sea oil and gas drilling as PM
- Move seen as blow to Miliband's Net Zero agenda
- Part of wider policy "reset", including scrapping digital ID scheme
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The case for approving new North Sea drilling rests on economic pragmatism and worker security. Energy production sustains thousands of jobs in Scotland and the North of England, and domestic oil and gas provide energy independence and tax revenues that support public services. Proponents argue that abruptly abandoning proven energy sources undermines business confidence and employment without viable alternatives yet in place; a measured transition respecting existing industries whilst gradually shifting investment toward renewables better serves both the economy and workers whose livelihoods depend on traditional energy sectors.
The case against
Those opposing new drilling argue that this policy choice undercuts genuine long-term business strategy. The renewable energy sector creates more jobs per pound invested and offers greater growth potential, whilst climate impacts—flooding, agricultural losses, health costs—represent enormous economic drains. Committing to new fossil fuel infrastructure locks the nation into carbon dependency for decades when the market is already shifting toward clean energy; true pro-business thinking means positioning Britain as a leader in the industries of tomorrow, not doubling down on yesterday's technology.
Explained simply
Andy Burnham is the newly elected Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. One of his first major policy decisions is expected to be approving new oil and gas drilling licences in the North Sea, the body of water between Britain and Norway where significant energy reserves are found. This move signals a different approach to the previous government's environmental strategy.
The previous government, under Keir Starmer, had pursued a Net Zero policy aimed at eliminating most greenhouse gas emissions to tackle climate change. Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary under Starmer, was closely associated with this environmental focus. Approving new fossil fuel extraction directly contradicts this approach and suggests a significant shift in priorities under Burnham's leadership.
The North Sea drilling decision is being presented as evidence that the new government prioritises business interests and economic growth. It is part of a broader policy reset that also includes scrapping a planned digital identity scheme, signalling that Burnham intends to take a markedly different direction from his predecessor on several fronts.
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