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.