Government approves North Sea Jackdaw gasfield to supply homes by month-end

UPDATE - follow-up to Labour accused of 'climate vandalism' by Green leader Polanski after Jackdaw gasfield approved – UK politics live: The contentious Jackdaw gasfield east of Aberdeen has received government approval and will begin supplying gas to homes and businesses by the end of the month.

What Happened

While Labour's election manifesto stated the party would not approve new North Sea oil and gas licences, it decided to treat Jackdaw and the Rosebank oilfield as existing projects after courts blocked them and ordered a rethink. The approval follows months of delay and a shift in public and political debate toward extraction due to high global energy prices. Energy secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh stated the project will create 27 jobs and secure 273 jobs. Meanwhile, GMB general secretary Gary Smith welcomed the move as a pragmatic call that protects jobs and keeps homes warm.

Reaction

Green party leader Zack Polanski strongly condemned the decision as climate vandalism and a betrayal of future generations. Greenpeace UK head of politics Ami McCarthy argued the approval shows a toxic grip by fossil fuel lobbyists, noting the project will not lower bills or boost security. Friends of the Earth climate campaigner Danny Gross criticized the move following a record-hot summer, and Uplift executive director Tessa Khan pointed out that Jackdaw will provide only about 2% of UK gas demand for roughly ten years. Fahnbulleh announced that a new energy wealth fund with a two-billion-pound downpayment will reinvest oil and gas revenues into the climate transition.

Context

North Sea energy projects often spark intense debate between securing domestic fuel supplies and meeting long-term net-zero carbon targets. Governments must weigh immediate winter heating needs and industrial employment against international climate commitments and environmental warnings.