UK government approves Jackdaw gasfield, drawing sharp backlash

Labour defends decision as essential for energy security, critics call it a betrayal of climate pledges

By LineZotpaper

Published21 October 2026

Updated21 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources6 outlets

The UK government has granted environmental approval for the controversial Jackdaw gasfield in the North Sea, operated by Shell. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh confirmed the decision, which will allow gas to begin flowing to homes and businesses by the end of the month, arguing it bolsters domestic energy security. However, the move has triggered sharp condemnation from environmental campaigners and political opponents who accuse the government of abandoning its climate commitments.

The approval for Jackdaw, alongside the pending decision on the larger Rosebank field, represents a significant test of Labour's energy policy. Labour's 2024 election manifesto committed to a ban on new drilling licences, but the government maintains that Jackdaw is a pre-existing licence seeking environmental consent, not a new one. The decision was delayed from last month, seemingly to avoid the Holborn and St Pancras byelection on 8 October.

Fahnbulleh stated the decision supports energy security with 'homegrown gas' and minimises reliance on 'higher emission fuels' during the transition to renewables and nuclear, insisting it is 'compatible with our legally binding climate commitments'.

Environmental groups decried the announcement. Tessa Khan, executive director of Uplift, dismissed the project's significance, stating Jackdaw will supply 'around just 2 per cent of our gas demand for roughly 10 years' and will be largely unmanned, creating minimal jobs. 'Labour's climate credibility is on the line. No new oil and gasfields are compatible with safe climate limits,' she said.

Green Party leader Zack Polanski called the decision a 'victory for Shell over the people' and 'climate vandalism'. He noted the energy secretary had herself said it will make no difference to energy bills, and that the industry's own assessment suggests only 27 jobs will be created.

The political stakes are high. A poll by Savanta for the climate group E3G found nearly a third of voters would be less likely to vote Labour following this decision, including half of 18- to 24-year-olds. Ellie Mae O'Hagan of E3G argued the public has 'made up its mind' against more drilling and urged investment in heat pumps and solar.

The decision is broadly welcomed by unions in north-east Scotland, where much of the industry is based. However, Labour faces internal pressure from MPs in seats facing Green challenges. Meanwhile, the industry, represented by Adura, a joint venture of Shell and Equinor, argues rejecting the fields would cost the UK economy nearly £10.8 billion over the next decade.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Tests the UK's global climate standing and the government's interpretation of its own ban on new drilling licences.
Creates immediate political friction for Labour, as it balances energy security against climate credibility ahead of the next general election.
Sets a precedent for the pending decision on the much larger Rosebank field.

Background

The Jackdaw and Rosebank fields were awarded licences years ago. Their environmental approval was effectively rescinded after a legal ruling required operators to account for the emissions from burning the oil and gas they produce (scope 3 emissions). The companies resubmitted their applications. The government's decision was postponed from the initial deadline, a move widely seen as an attempt to minimise political damage from the Holborn and St Pancras byelection.

Key Perspectives

UK Government (Labour): Defends the decision on technical grounds, framing it as approval for an existing licence, not a new one. It argues the choice is between domestic production and higher-emission imports, and insists it remains committed to a net-zero 2050 target and ending new licences. Industry (Shell, Equinor, Adura): Argues domestic production is essential for energy security and the economy. Adura's report warned of a £10.8 billion economic hit if Jackdaw and Rosebank are blocked. Environmental Groups (Uplift, Green Party, E3G): Contend the field's output is negligible (2% of demand for ~10 years), undermines climate commitments, creates very few jobs, and will not lower energy bills. They view the decision as a political surrender to fossil fuel interests. Labour Voters and Backbenchers: Public polling suggests significant backlash, especially among young voters and those in seats contested by the Green Party, creating internal party friction.

What to Watch

The government's upcoming decision on the Rosebank oil field project.
Any legal challenges to the environmental approval filed by campaigners.
Shifts in voting intention in opinion polls, particularly in marginal Labour-held seats.
Whether the government introduces any new conditions for future consent of similar existing licences.

Sources

Government approves drilling in Jackdaw gas field in North Sea · The Independent UK
UK government approves drilling in Jackdaw gas field · RTÉ News
UK approves Jackdaw gasfield in North Sea · UK news | The Guardian
UK approves Jackdaw gasfield in North Sea · Business | The Guardian
UK government approves Jackdaw production in North Sea boost · City AM
Industry groups welcome Jackdaw decision, but say Rosebank ‘equally vital’ · The Irish News

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 7 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedThe UK government approved the Jackdaw gasfield.Business | The Guardian: “The UK government has approved the controversial Jackdaw gasfield in the North Sea”
SupportedThe approval drew sharp backlash.Business | The Guardian: “a widely expected move that will nonetheless dismay environmental campaigners and a number of Labour MPs”
Partly supportedLabour defended the decision as essential for energy security.Business | The Guardian: “This decision will support the country’s energy security with homegrown gas this winter”
SupportedGas from Jackdaw will begin flowing to homes and businesses by the end of the month.Business | The Guardian: “The Jackdaw field will start supplying gas to homes and businesses from the end of the month, the government said after approving the scheme.”
Partly supportedRosebank is a larger field whose decision is pending.Business | The Guardian: “the Rosebank oilfield project, which is being decided on separately”
Partly supportedThe government says Jackdaw is an existing licence seeking environmental consent, not a new licence.Business | The Guardian: “the companies behind Jackdaw and the Rosebank oilfield project, which is being decided on separately, have sought environmental approval for existing licences.”
SupportedThe decision was delayed from last month, seemingly to avoid the Holborn and St Pancras byelection on 8 October.Business | The Guardian: “The decision on Jackdaw had been expected last month but was delayed , seemingly to take it beyond the Holborn and St Pancras byelection on 8 October”
SupportedFahnbulleh said the decision was compatible with legally binding climate commitments.Business | The Guardian: “The decision is compatible with our legally binding climate commitments”
SupportedKhan said Jackdaw would provide around 2% of gas demand for roughly 10 years.Business | The Guardian: “Jackdaw will provide around just 2% of our gas demand for roughly 10 years.”
Partly supportedKhan said Jackdaw would create minimal jobs because it would be largely unmanned.Business | The Guardian: “It has been oversold and won’t stop the overall decline in North Sea jobs, as it will be largely unmanned and operated remotely.”
SupportedPolanski called the decision “climate vandalism” and “a victory for Shell over the people.”Business | The Guardian: “The Green party leader, Zack Polanski, called the decision “climate vandalism”.”
Partly supportedThe poll found nearly a third of voters would be less likely to vote Labour following this decision.Business | The Guardian: “nearly a third of voters say they would be less likely to vote Labour if it gives the go-ahead for more North Sea oil drilling.”