Cabinet split over Rosebank oilfield decision deepens as deadline nears

Chancellor favours approval, energy secretary leans against

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published25 October 2026

Updated25 October 2026

Read Time3 min

Sources3 outlets

Illustration: Cabinet split over Rosebank oilfield decision deepens as deadline nears

A cabinet split has emerged over whether to approve drilling at the Rosebank oilfield, with Chancellor John Healey in favour and Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh understood to be leaning towards rejection. The decision, expected before the end of the year, has sparked internal tensions and could see Prime Minister Andy Burnham make the final call.

The row over the future of the North Sea oilfield has intensified, with the chancellor signalling his support. Mr Healey told ITV he expected oil and gas revenues to contribute to a new energy wealth fund, a suggestion that indicated he anticipated income from Rosebank. The energy secretary, who is ultimately responsible for the decision, recently granted permission for the smaller Jackdaw gasfield but has indicated that the rationale for that project does not apply to Rosebank.

Ms Fahnbulleh told the Guardian: "One is a gasfield that caters for the domestic market, while the other is an oilfield that is mainly for export. It is right that we judge each application in its own right, and it is absolutely critical that the decision is consistent with our climate obligations, our carbon budgets and the end destination we need to get to with the energy transition."

According to a report in the Mail on Sunday, the prime minister and the chancellor have agreed to try to push the project through, but No 10 declined to comment, saying it was a matter for the energy secretary. Ms Fahnbulleh has not yet made her decision, officials say. Rosebank would produce emissions about seven times greater than Jackdaw, and most of the oil would be exported, raising questions about its contribution to UK energy security.

Labour MPs said on Wednesday that there would be a big pushback in the party if Rosebank is approved, with some considering ways to force a parliamentary vote to express dissent. A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: "We do not comment on speculation. The North Sea remains a vital national asset, and oil and gas will continue to play an important role in our energy system for decades to come – alongside transitioning to clean power to protect jobs and tackle the climate crisis. Any decision will take into account all relevant evidence, including environmental assessments and public representations received during the consultation process."

Ms Fahnbulleh has promised that future revenues from the North Sea will be spent on green energy projects through an energy wealth fund. She said last week that the fund would be given £2bn in the budget. "When we have tax revenues that are coming from the oil and gas industry, it is right that we invest that in the transition we need to make in energy," she said, adding that the money would be spent on renewables, nuclear and other clean energy schemes.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

The Rosebank decision carries major implications for the UK's climate commitments and its ability to meet net-zero targets.
It will affect energy security and the future of the North Sea oil and gas industry, including jobs and investment.
The internal government split highlights the political challenge of balancing economic, energy and environmental priorities.

Background

The UK government is weighing approval for the Rosebank oilfield, a large North Sea project, after recently approving the smaller Jackdaw gasfield. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh is understood to be leaning against Rosebank, while Chancellor John Healey has signalled his support. The prime minister may make the final decision if the cabinet remains divided. Ms Fahnbulleh has argued that Rosebank differs from Jackdaw because it is primarily an oilfield for export, whereas Jackdaw supplies the domestic gas market. A final call is expected before the end of the year.

Key Perspectives

Chancellor John Healey: Has indicated his support for the project, suggesting oil and gas revenues from Rosebank could help fund a new energy wealth fund. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh: Emphasises that each application must be judged on its own merits; she has not made a final decision and stresses the need to align with climate obligations. Labour MPs: Would push back strongly if Rosebank is approved and are considering forcing a parliamentary vote to express dissent. Prime Minister Andy Burnham: Reportedly agreed with the chancellor to try to push the project through, but No 10 declined to comment, deferring to the energy secretary. Department for Energy Security and Net Zero: Says any decision will take into account environmental assessments and public representations.

What to Watch

A final decision from the energy secretary is expected before the end of the year.
Possible parliamentary vote if the project is approved, as Labour MPs seek to register dissent.
The budget may clarify details of the energy wealth fund and the scale of oil and gas revenues that will be allocated to it.

Sources

Cabinet split emerges over controversial Rosebank oilfield decision · The Guardian
Cabinet split emerges over controversial Rosebank oilfield decision · The Guardian
Cabinet split emerges over controversial Rosebank oilfield decision · The Guardian

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 6 supported.

Show each claim

Partly supportedThe cabinet split is deepening as a deadline nears.UK news | The Guardian: “A cabinet split has emerged over whether to approve drilling at the Rosebank oilfield”
SupportedThe chancellor favours approval, while the energy secretary leans towards rejection.UK news | The Guardian: “the chancellor, John Healey, in favour of the controversial North Sea project. The energy secretary, Miatta Fahnbulleh, is ultimately in charge of the decision, and the Guardian reported last week that she was leaning towards rejecting it”
Partly supportedThe decision has sparked internal tensions.UK news | The Guardian: “A cabinet split has emerged over whether to approve drilling at the Rosebank oilfield”
SupportedA final decision is expected before the end of the year.UK news | The Guardian: “A final decision is expected before the end of the year.”
Partly supportedPrime Minister Andy Burnham could make the final call.UK news | The Guardian: “The prime minister would be expected to make the final call if there is conflict on the decision.”
Partly supportedThe Mail on Sunday reported that the prime minister and chancellor agreed to try to push Rosebank through.UK news | The Guardian: “No 10 declined to comment on Sunday after the Mail on Sunday reported that Andy Burnham and Healey had agreed to try to push the project through”
SupportedFahnbulleh said: “One is a gasfield that caters for the domestic market, while the other is an oilfield that is mainly for export. It is right that we judge each application in its own right, and it is absolutely critical that the decision is consistent with our climate obligations, our carbon budgets and the end destination we need to get to with the energy transition.”UK news | The Guardian: ““One is a gasfield that caters for the domestic market, while the other is an oilfield that is mainly for export,” she said. “It is right that we judge each application in its own right, and it is absolutely critical that the decision is consistent with our climate obligations, our carbon budgets and the end destination we need to get to with the energy transition.””
SupportedRosebank would produce emissions about seven times greater than Jackdaw.UK news | The Guardian: “Rosebank would produce emissions about seven times greater than Jackdaw”
Partly supportedMost of Rosebank’s oil would be exported, raising questions about its contribution to UK energy security.UK news | The Guardian: “Fahnbulleh is understood to believe it would do less for UK energy security, given that most of the oil would be exported.”
Partly supportedLabour MPs said on Wednesday there would be big pushback if Rosebank were approved, and some were considering ways to force a parliamentary vote.UK news | The Guardian: “Labour MPs said on Wednesday that there would be a big pushback in the party if Rosebank was approved ... MPs are understood to have discussed ways of forcing or encouraging a parliamentary vote on Rosebank should it be approved”
SupportedThe Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said: “We do not comment on speculation. The North Sea remains a vital national asset, and oil and gas will continue to play an important role in our energy system for decades to come – alongside transitioning to clean power to protect jobs and tackle the climate crisis. Any decision will take into account all relevant evidence, including environmental assessments and public representations received during the consultation process.”UK news | The Guardian: “A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: “We do not comment on speculation. The North Sea remains a vital national asset, and oil and gas will continue to play an important role in our energy system for decades to come – alongside transitioning to clean power to protect jobs and tackle the climate crisis.”
SupportedFahnbulleh said the energy wealth fund would be given £2bn in the budget.UK news | The Guardian: “She said last week that the fund would be given £2bn in the budget.”