UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham to announce decision on Jackdaw gas field

The decision, expected on 21 October, follows months of speculation and a recent Felo report on the government's cautious stance.

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 20 Oct 2026 18:28:08 GMT

The UK government will announce on Wednesday its decision on the Jackdaw gas field, a new drilling project off the coast of Aberdeen, according to two Standard UK reports published on 20 October.

What happened

Both reports state that ministers are expected to approve the Jackdaw project, which, together with the Rosebank oil field, has been pending since the previous Conservative administration halted approvals after a legal challenge last year. The announcement is slated for Wednesday, 21 October.

What the reports add

Standard UK notes that Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he will "take a pragmatic approach when it comes to the North Sea" since taking office in the summer. The reports also highlight pressure from environmental groups to honour the 2024 Labour manifesto commitment of issuing no new oil and gas licences in the North Sea. Proponents within Labour argue that Jackdaw and Rosebank are not new fields, as development plans were already in motion before Labour won power.

The articles add that former US President Donald Trump has claimed the UK is "sitting on top of gold" and urged Burnham to approve more drilling, a stance he also took with former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh is quoted as saying a decision on Rosebank will take longer, while a decision on Jackdaw is imminent.

What was said

Andy Burnham told Standard UK he would adopt a pragmatic approach to the North Sea. Donald Trump said the UK is "sitting on top of gold" and urged approval of more drilling. Miatta Fahnbulleh said a decision on Rosebank will take longer, implying the Jackdaw decision is near.

How it came about

The Jackdaw field has been in limbo since the Conservative government’s approval was blocked by a legal challenge last year. Felo News reported on 16 October that the government was moving cautiously after court rulings, with Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh saying a decision on Jackdaw was imminent (see earlier report). The current announcement follows that cautious stance and the Labour Party’s 2024 manifesto pledge to halt new North Sea licences.

Key facts

The UK government will announce its decision on the Jackdaw gas field on 21 October. (standard.co.uk)
Prime Minister Andy Burnham says he will take a pragmatic approach to North Sea drilling. (standard.co.uk)
Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh says a decision on Rosebank will take longer, while Jackdaw is imminent. (standard.co.uk)
Donald Trump claimed the UK is "sitting on top of gold" and urged approval of more drilling. (standard.co.uk)

Timeline

2025-10-15 — Conservative government approval of Jackdaw and Rosebank halted by legal challenge
2026-10-16 — Felo News reported government moving cautiously on Jackdaw and Rosebank approvals
2026-10-20 — Standard UK reports upcoming decision on Jackdaw gas field