UK approves Jackdaw North Sea gasfield as Andy Burnham says it fits net-zero plans

Summary

On Wednesday, Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh gave the go-ahead for gas production to begin at the Jackdaw gasfield in the North Sea, a decision that has long been debated. In an opinion piece for The Guardian, Prime Minister Andy Burnham argues the approval is part of the plan for Britain's net-zero transition. He says gas from the field will begin heating homes and powering businesses this winter, raise domestic gas production by about 6%, support the UK's energy supply for more than a decade, protect hundreds of jobs in Scotland and add almost £3bn to the UK economy over the life of the project. A separate Guardian report says Burnham has said he will not abandon the responsibility of fighting the climate crisis, will not approve any new North Sea licences and will still hit the net zero 2050 target. The report says the comments are the prime minister's most forthright yet on net zero, after many MPs have privately doubted his commitment to tackling the climate crisis.

Timeline

1. The Guardian

   22 Oct 2026, 17:00 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian publishes an opinion piece by Prime Minister Andy Burnham arguing that approving the Jackdaw gasfield is part of the plan for Britain's net-zero transition.

2. The Guardian

   22 Oct 2026, 17:22 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that Burnham says he will not abandon the fight against the climate crisis after the Jackdaw approval, will not approve any new North Sea licences and will still hit the net zero 2050 target.