Harman calls for Rosebank approval, widening Labour’s North Sea rift

Harriet Harman has urged ministers to approve the Rosebank oil field, deepening Labour’s divisions over North Sea drilling. She argues that revenue from the project could help speed up investment in renewable energy, while critics warn that its emissions would undermine efforts to move away from fossil fuels.

Rosebank, west of Shetland, is the largest untapped oil field in the North Sea, and a decision is pending after the Government approved the Jackdaw gas field. A new energy wealth fund, initially backed by £2 billion, is intended to channel North Sea tax revenue into renewable and low-carbon projects. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh says the final decision is hers; reports that she is leaning towards rejecting Rosebank have been described by her department as speculation.