Labour MPs voice concerns over Rosebank oil field

About a dozen Labour MPs raised concerns about approving the Rosebank oil field during a debate in Westminster Hall, a separate debating chamber in Parliament. The debate was organised by Green MP Carla Denyer. Labour MP Abtisam Mohamed, who represents Sheffield Central, spoke against Rosebank.

More than 60 of the roughly 400 Labour MPs have indicated support for an unsent letter to Prime Minister Andy Burnham opposing the project. The figures come from the BBC, which reported the debate.

Burnham said on Wednesday that a decision on Rosebank would be taken in due course. The formal decision rests with Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh, who said the affordability of energy bills was her overriding objective.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch raised Labour's divisions over Rosebank at Prime Minister's Questions, the weekly session in which MPs put questions to the prime minister, on Wednesday.

Labour's manifesto at the 2024 general election pledged not to issue new licences to explore new fields. The licences for Rosebank and for the Jackdaw gas field were granted by the Conservative government in 2023 and 2022 respectively.

The Court of Session in Edinburgh, Scotland's highest civil court, ruled that the government's approvals of Jackdaw and Rosebank were unlawful. The ruling means the Labour government must make a fresh decision on both fields.

Fahnbulleh approved production at the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea last month.