Ed Miliband will have the final say on licences for oil exploration and development in the Falkland Islands, despite his record of opposing new North Sea oil and gas exploration. The issue has become politically contentious, with Conservatives urging him to approve the projects and Argentina threatening legal action against companies operating near the islands.

A 31 December deadline covers licences for the next £2.25 billion phase of the approved Sea Lion development and the proposed Darwin project. Falkland Islands law requires the UK Foreign Secretary’s consent for licences or changes to their conditions, while the UK Government says resource development supports the islanders’ self-determination. The dispute comes alongside delays over North Sea projects and controversy over Labour’s promise of 1,000 green-energy jobs in Aberdeen, of which 53 permanent positions have reportedly been created.