UK approves Jackdaw North Sea gasfield, bringing relief to Aberdeen workers

Summary

The UK government has approved the Jackdaw gasfield in the North Sea, and workers in Aberdeen have reacted with relief, hoping it will keep many North Sea jobs for now. Few locals believe the decision will bring back the city's boom years. As recently as 2012, Aberdeen had the highest concentration of millionaires in the UK, with oil and gas wealth driving high house prices and a busy ATM economy in the 1990s. Disposable income in Aberdeen fell by nearly 20% between 2013 and 2023, more than any other large UK city, after a 2014 oil price shock reversed its fortunes. For-sale and to-let signs now line the city's main streets.

Timeline

1. The Guardian

   21 Oct 2026, 10:19 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that workers in Aberdeen are relieved by the UK's approval of the Jackdaw gasfield, which they hope will keep North Sea jobs for now, though few believe it will restore the city's boom years.