Labour MPs oppose Rosebank oil field as decision looms

Labour MPs have urged the government to turn down the Rosebank oil field, describing it as “incompatible” with the United Kingdom’s climate pledges. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Wednesday that a decision would be “taken in due course”, while Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said affordability of energy bills was her “overriding objective”.

More than a dozen Labour backbenchers raised concerns in Parliament about approving the project, although other members highlighted potential economic benefits. Supportive Labour MPs argued that many regions of the world emit far more greenhouse gases than the UK and warned against dependence on imports, and reports have indicated that Chancellor John Healey favours approval. In addition, a draft letter opposing Rosebank – intended for Burnham but not yet dispatched – has been backed by over 60 of roughly 400 Labour MPs.

One signatory told the BBC that approving Rosebank “would not create new jobs, would bring minimal money into the Treasury and be bad for the climate”. The MP added: “The government's central aim is to tackle the cost of living crisis, and drilling for more oil at Rosebank isn’t the answer.”

The debate was held in Westminster Hall on Wednesday and was organised by Green MP Carla Denyer. Labour MP for Sheffield Central Abtisam Mohamed said: “Rosebank fails on every test. It will not benefit taxpayers who will shoulder the vast majority of the development costs, it will not strengthen our energy security because most of the oil will be sold on international markets, and it will not reduce energy bills for our constituents, who will remain exposed to volatile fossil fuel prices.” Former frontbencher Richard Burgon also warned: “Rosebank is not compatible with our climate targets - it’s dangerous to pretend otherwise.”

The United Kingdom remains committed to reaching net zero by 2050 and limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre‑industrial levels. The government maintains that the Rosebank decision is a quasi‑judicial matter that formally rests with Energy Secretary Fahnbulleh, who approved production in the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea last month, while the Rosebank proposal remains pending.