# ‘It never came up’: John Swinney admits he didn’t raise Rosebank oil field in talks with Andy Burnham

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/it-never-came-up-john-swinney-admits-he-didnt-raise-rosebank-oil-field-in-talks-with-andy-burnham/
- Published: 2026-10-30T19:42:34+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-30T21:52:41+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16253385/It-never-came-John-Swinney-admits-didnt-raise-Rosebank-oil-field-talks-Andy-Burnham.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: World

## Key points

- Swinney did not discuss Rosebank with Burnham.
- The field is estimated to hold 500 million barrels of oil.
- Swinney faces calls to clarify his stance on North Sea drilling.

## Summary

Scottish First Minister John Swinney said he did not raise the proposed Rosebank oil field during talks with Prime Minister Andy Burnham, prompting criticism that he failed to advocate for Scottish oil workers. The field’s future matters to Scotland’s energy industry and the UK’s energy supply, while Swinney faces pressure to clarify his position after the SNP backed domestic oil and gas over imports.

Rosebank, off Shetland, is estimated to contain the equivalent of 500 million barrels of oil and remains undecided; the UK Government recently approved the Jackdaw gas field east of Aberdeen. Swinney said the talks covered independence, which Burnham has ruled out for a second referendum, and UK relations with the EU. The meeting also agreed a “policy sprint” on devolving powers to local areas.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.