Labour MPs Divided Over Rosebank Oil Field Approval

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Wednesday that a decision would be 'taken in due course' while Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh stressed that affordability of energy bills was her 'overriding objective' (1). Supportive Labour MPs said some other parts of the world emitted far more greenhouse gases than the UK and warned of relying on imports (1). Reports have suggested that Chancellor John Healey is in favour of approval (1). [1]

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' (1). '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 MP said (1). [1]

Wednesday's Westminster Hall - a type of parliamentary debate where backbench MPs raise topical issues but do not vote - was organised by Green MP Carla Denyer (1). Labour MP for Sheffield Central Abtisam Mohamed told the debate: 'Rosebank fails on every test' (1). [1]

Some Labour MPs have called on the government to reject the Rosebank oil field, stating that it is 'incompatible' with the UK's climate commitments (1). Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Wednesday that a decision would be 'taken in due course' while Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh stressed that affordability of energy bills was her 'overriding objective' (1). [1]

In a sign of the division within the party, more than a dozen Labour MPs expressed concerns in Parliament about approving it, while others expressed support, pointing to economic benefits (1). Reports have suggested that Chancellor John Healey is in favour of approval (1). [1]

Separately, it is understood some Labour backbenchers have organised a letter opposing Rosebank - intended for Burnham, but not yet sent - which more than 60 out of about 400 Labour MPs have indicated they support (1). 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' (1). [1]

Some Labour MPs have called on the government to reject the Rosebank oil field, stating that it is 'incompatible' with the UK's climate commitments (1). Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Wednesday that a decision would be 'taken in due course' while Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh stressed that affordability of energy bills was her 'overriding objective' (1). [1]

In a sign of the division within the party, more than a dozen Labour MPs expressed concerns in Parliament about approving it, while others expressed support, pointing to economic benefits (1). Reports have suggested that Chancellor John Healey is in favour of approval (1). [1]

Separately, it is understood some Labour backbenchers have organised a letter opposing Rosebank - intended for Burnham, but not yet sent - which more than 60 out of about 400 Labour MPs have indicated they support (1). 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' (1). [1]

Sources

BBC Politics

Prepared with AI assistance from the cited sources.