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.
In short
- Harriet Harman wants ministers to approve Rosebank.
- She says oil revenue could boost renewable investment.
- Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh will make the final decision.
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The case for
Approving Rosebank could provide tax revenue for the proposed energy wealth fund, helping finance renewable and low-carbon investment while supporting energy supply and jobs. On this view, using some North Sea income to accelerate the transition may be a pragmatic way to manage it, provided emissions are addressed through the wider climate strategy.
The case against
Developing a large new oil field would produce additional emissions and could prolong reliance on fossil fuels, making the shift to cleaner energy harder. Critics may also question whether its revenues would reliably deliver the promised investment, and argue that public policy should prioritise renewables directly rather than approve more extraction.
Explained simply
The North Sea has long supplied oil and gas to the UK, but many of its older fields are running down as the country tries to expand renewable energy. Rosebank is a large undeveloped oil field west of Shetland, and its future depends on government approval.
Labour is divided over whether new drilling can support the shift to cleaner energy or make it harder by adding emissions. Supporters argue that tax income from fields such as Rosebank could help fund renewable projects; critics say producing and burning more oil would conflict with efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The Government’s proposed energy wealth fund is intended to direct North Sea tax revenue towards renewable and other low-carbon investment.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Labour civil war over Rosebank oil field as Harriet Harman says ministers must sign off the North Sea drilling project”.