Opposition piles pressure on Chancellor John Healey to back North Sea oil before debut Budget

Conservatives and Reform UK unite in calls for Rosebank approval and green tax cuts; government approves Jackdaw gas field but delays ruling on larger Rosebank project

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published25 October 2026

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Opposition parties are urging Chancellor John Healey to cut green taxes, slash environmental regulations and approve the Rosebank oil field in his first Budget, piling pressure on Labour to abandon key parts of its energy policy. The government on Wednesday approved drilling in the Jackdaw gas field but has yet to rule on the larger Rosebank project.

Following the government's approval of fresh drilling in the Jackdaw gas field, Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh has still not ruled on the larger Rosebank oil project.

Shadow energy secretary Andrew Bowie said working families needed lower energy bills, and warned the Chancellor against using taxpayer money to help poorer households on welfare pay for rising energy costs, instead calling for moves that cut costs for everyone. "They were promised £300 off by Labour at the last election, but in reality they have risen by £367," Mr Bowie said.

The Conservatives are calling for the approval of Rosebank, an end to Labour's ban on new North Sea licences and the scrapping of the energy profits levy on oil and gas firms.

Reform UK has set out dozens of measures it claims would generate jobs, including support for Rosebank and other North Sea projects, a return to imperial measurements and a ban on low-traffic neighbourhoods. Its Treasury spokesperson, Robert Jenrick, said the Budget risked being a "manana budget" that dodges tough decisions. "We can't continue like this. The country can't wait 10 years for Andy Burnham to work out a plan - we need action now," Mr Jenrick said.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

The Budget will set the direction of UK energy policy, balancing net-zero commitments with rising household energy bills.
Decisions on Rosebank and North Sea licensing will define Labour's stance on the future of domestic fossil fuel production.
The result affects whether the UK prioritises energy security and cost, or climate targets, in its fiscal planning.

Background

Labour has committed to a ban on new North Sea licences, but the government has already approved the Jackdaw gas field. The decision on the larger Rosebank oil project is the next major test of this policy. Chancellor John Healey is preparing his first Budget against a backdrop of high energy costs and opposition calls for immediate action.

Key Perspectives

Conservatives: Shadow energy secretary Andrew Bowie argues the government must take tough decisions to lower energy bills for everyone, including approving Rosebank and scrapping green levies, rather than using taxpayer money on welfare bailouts.

Reform UK: Treasury spokesperson Robert Jenrick calls for a wide range of deregulatory measures, including support for North Sea projects, to kickstart the economy, accusing the government of avoiding hard choices.

What to Watch

The Energy Secretary's ruling on the Rosebank oil field, likely ahead of the Budget.
Whether Healey's Budget includes measures to cut green taxes or energy levies in response to opposition pressure.
The specific reaction of the Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, to the cross-party push for North Sea development.

Sources

Opposition ratchets up pressure on government to support Rosebank ahead of Budget · The Independent UK

Checked

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

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SupportedBowie said: “They were promised £300 off by Labour at the last election, but in reality they have risen by £367,”The Independent UK: “They were promised £300 off by Labour at the last election, but in reality they have risen by £367.”
SupportedJenrick said: “We can't continue like this. The country can't wait 10 years for Andy Burnham to work out a plan - we need action now.”The Independent UK: “We can’t continue like this. The country can’t wait 10 years for Andy Burnham to work out a plan – we need action now.”
SupportedThe headline says the opposition is piling pressure on Chancellor John Healey to back North Sea oil before his first Budget.The Independent UK: “Opposition parties are calling on Chancellor John Healey to cut green taxes, slash environmental red tape, and back North Sea oil in his first Budget .”
Partly supportedThe summary says the Conservatives and Reform UK are united in calling for Rosebank approval and green tax cuts.The Independent UK: “The Conservatives called for measures including the approval of Rosebank”
Partly supportedThe government approved the Jackdaw gas field.The Independent UK: “The government on Wednesday announced it had approved fresh drilling in the Jackdaw gas field”
Not in the sourcesThe government delayed a ruling on Rosebank.The Independent UK: “Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh was yet to rule on the larger Rosebank oil project.”
SupportedOpposition parties are urging Healey to cut green taxes, slash environmental regulations and approve Rosebank in his first Budget.The Independent UK: “Opposition parties are calling on Chancellor John Healey to cut green taxes, slash environmental red tape, and back North Sea oil in his first Budget .”
Not in the sourcesThe pressure is for Labour to abandon key parts of its energy policy.The Independent UK: “Opposition parties are calling on Chancellor John Healey to cut green taxes, slash environmental red tape, and back North Sea oil in his first Budget .”
SupportedBowie warned Healey against using taxpayer money to help poorer households on welfare pay rising energy bills.The Independent UK: “The Conservatives warned Mr Healey not to use taxpayer money to help poorer households on welfare pay for rising energy bills”
Partly supportedJenrick said the Budget risked being a “manana budget” that dodges tough decisions.The Independent UK: “Everything reported so far suggests this will be a ‘manana budget’, with John Healey dodging the tough decisions our country needs.”
SupportedThe Conservatives called for Rosebank approval, an end to Labour’s ban on new North Sea licences and scrapping the energy profits levy on oil and gas firms.The Independent UK: “The Conservatives called for measures including the approval of Rosebank, the end of Labour ’s ban on new North Sea licences and the scrapping of the energy profits levy on oil and gas firms.”
Partly supportedReform UK proposed dozens of measures it claimed would generate jobs, including support for Rosebank and other North Sea projects, imperial measurements and a ban on low-traffic neighbourhoods.The Independent UK: “Reform UK set out dozens of measures that it claimed would help to generate jobs, including support for the Rosebank oil field and other North Sea projects, as well as policies such as a return to the wider use of imperial measurements and a ban on low-traffic neighbourhoods.”