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Jackdaw and Rosebank Oil and Gas Fields
03 September 2026
Lead MP
Katie White
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
ClimateEnergy
Other Contributors: 27
At a Glance
Katie White raised concerns about jackdaw and rosebank oil and gas fields in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
Katie White, welcoming the shadow Secretary of State, provided a detailed update on the Jackdaw and Rosebank oil and gas projects. She noted that the Scottish Court of Session quashed the original consents for these projects in January 2025, and the Government published supplementary guidance in June 2025 to implement the Finch judgment, requiring end-use combustion emissions to be considered in environmental impact assessments. The public notice periods for the projects closed on 10 and 17 August, respectively, and the Secretary of State will consider the representations received before making separate decisions on each project. She criticised the Conservative party for their record on job losses and economic decline in Aberdeen during their previous tenure.
Andrew Bowie
Con
West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
Question
Andrew Bowie questioned the Government's delay in approving the Rosebank and Jackdaw projects, highlighting the need for an immediate decision to support the oil and gas industry and workers. He asked the Minister if the Government would approve the projects and questioned the previous Secretary of State's approach, arguing that the decision was crucial for the UK's economic and energy security.
Minister reply
Katie White acknowledged the strength of interest in the process and reiterated the need for a robust process to ensure that the decisions are fair and just. She stated that the Secretary of State would be making decisions in due course after considering the representations received.
Bill Esterson
Lab
Sefton Central
Question
Bill Esterson asked the Minister to acknowledge the importance of the supply chain, workers, and their communities in the energy transition. He emphasised the need to support these workers while gearing up on renewables.
Minister reply
Katie White thanked Bill Esterson for his question and agreed that it was important to support the workers and the supply chain, both for the industries of today and the clean industries of the future.
Pippa Heylings
Lib Dem
Question
Pippa Heylings highlighted the impact of wildfires caused by climate change and called for a genuinely just transition with good-quality clean energy jobs, while protecting workers, supply chains and communities.
Minister reply
Katie White appreciated Pippa Heylings' passion and commitment and acknowledged the importance of addressing wildfires. She emphasised the need for a robust process and the Government's commitment to a just transition.
Toby Perkins
Lab
Chesterfield
Question
Toby Perkins acknowledged the delicate balance of the decision and the need to take time to ensure that the Government gets it right. He highlighted the importance of the transition to renewables and the need to listen to all arguments.
Minister reply
Katie White thanked Toby Perkins for his long-standing interest and agreed that it was important to take time with the process, respect its robustness, and consider all the evidence.
Aberdeen South
Question
The MP is angry and disappointed by the delay in decision-making on the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil fields, citing the loss of 1,000 jobs per month in the UK oil and gas industry. He calls for clarity and assurance that these jobs will be saved.
Minister reply
The minister agrees that jobs are key and has expanded training and support, including the new jobs service. She emphasises the need for a robust and quasi-judicial process, expressing regret that she cannot comment further on the specific decision-making process.
Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Question
The MP echoes the Prime Minister’s call for a pragmatic approach, noting the importance of both oil and gas and clean energy in the future, and highlights the need to support both Rosebank and Jackdaw projects.
Minister reply
The minister reiterates the Prime Minister’s commitment to a pragmatic approach, affirming that oil and gas will remain part of the UK’s energy mix. She cannot provide further details on the specific decision-making process.
Alistair Carmichael
Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
Question
The MP argues that not exploiting resources on the UK continental shelf leaves the UK reliant on imports, which has carbon consequences, and highlights the importance of maintaining critical mass in the supply chain for future clean energy development.
Minister reply
The minister agrees that oil and gas will be part of the energy mix and that the environmental impact assessment will take Scope 3 emissions into account. She also notes the crossover between renewables and oil and gas workers.
Kerry McCarthy
Lab
Bristol East
Question
The MP questions the compatibility of Rosebank with climate objectives and raises concerns about methane emissions, suggesting that the gas wasted in the North Sea could heat 570,000 homes.
Minister reply
The minister acknowledges the importance of reducing venting and flaring, which would represent a cost and efficiency saving. She plans to meet with international colleagues to discuss the issue and is working on it domestically.
David Mundell
Con
Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Question
The MP questions the assessment that importing liquefied natural gas is 10 times more polluting than pipeline gas and asks about the impact of Jackdaw on reducing pollution.
Minister reply
The minister states that Scope 3 emissions will be part of the environmental impact assessment, which will inform the Secretary of State’s decision-making process.
Question
The MP highlights the creation and sustenance of thousands of skilled jobs and apprenticeships if Jackdaw and Rosebank proceed, which would be crucial for the renewables sector.
Minister reply
The minister agrees that job creation is important and has expanded the North sea jobs service to support workers. She notes the crossover between renewables and oil and gas workers.
Kirsty Blackman
SNP
Aberdeen North
Question
The MP stresses the importance of jobs in the north-east of Scotland and asks for a clearer timeline for the decision and for a comparison of environmental impacts between LNG imports and approving Jackdaw.
Minister reply
The minister acknowledges the need for clarity but emphasises the importance of a robust decision-making process. She reiterates the need for a just transition and supports Scottish workers in the industries of the future.
Question
The MP calls for a pragmatic approach focused on people and prioritising British businesses and communities, and criticises the previous government for failing to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Minister reply
The minister agrees with the MP's analysis of the situation, stressing the need to respect the process to achieve clarity and robustness in the decision-making process.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
Question
The MP highlights the decline of North Sea gas and oil and calls for a decision on the two fields to avoid dependence on expensive foreign oil and gas.
Minister reply
The minister acknowledges the MP's point about the declining basin and the need for other sources of energy, noting record investment in clean energy from the Government and the private sector.
Question
The MP questions the previous government's failure to invest in clean power and asks about measures to ensure energy affordability.
Minister reply
The minister acknowledges the impact of the fossil fuel rollercoaster on constituents' bills and highlights the Secretary of State's focus on energy affordability.
Ellie Chowns
Lab
North Herefordshire
Question
Discusses the climate crisis, citing extreme weather and the World Meteorological Organisation's statements on climate breakdown. Asks the Minister to recognise that the environmental damage caused by Rosebank and Jackdaw will outweigh any economic benefits and rule them out, advocating for a transition to clean energy.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the hon. Lady's passion and the environmental impact assessment's consideration of Scope 3 emissions. Refuses to comment further on the Rosebank and Jackdaw decisions, emphasising the Government's commitment to climate change and the Prime Minister's commitment to attend COP this year.
Lizzi Collinge
Con
Basildon and Billericay
Question
Discusses the complexity of the North Sea oil and gas discussion and the long-term decline of the basin. Criticises the lack of progress on nuclear under the Conservatives, arguing that the complexity of the discussion is lost on the Opposition.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the hon. Member's questioning on the Select Committee and the need to respect the robust process. Acknowledges climate change as a key issue, citing wildfires and the Prime Minister's commitment.
John Glen
Con
Salisbury
Question
Asks why we should extend the time we are not relying on our own resources given the turmoil in the Middle East. Questions the delay in decision-making despite potential £1 billion to £2 billion of VAT receipts and the severe impact on the north-east of Scotland economy.
Minister reply
Stresses the importance of the robust regulatory process. Acknowledges the need to expedite the decision properly to avoid returning to the debate in the future.
Jonathan Brash
Con
Hartlepool
Question
Supports drilling in the North Sea for jobs and the economy, advocating for the approval of Jackdaw and Rosebank and further expansion in the North Sea.
Minister reply
Thanks the hon. Friend for his comments and interest in the matter. Refuses to comment further due to the robust regulatory process.
Rother Valley
Question
Criticises both Labour and Conservatives for driving uncertainty in the debate, highlighting the lack of pace in decision-making on regulatory issues such as TNUoS charges and the 18-month delay at Ardersier.
Minister reply
Agrees that the Opposition has made U-turns and lacks clarity on strategic planning for energy systems. Defends the Government's pace in moving at speed towards a clean energy mission.
Mike Reader
Con
Hastings and Rye
Question
Highlights the decline in the oil and gas sector despite production increases and job losses. Advocates for fixing transition costs, ending delays from the National Energy System Operator, and ramping up support and training for workers to revive the sector.
Minister reply
Welcomes the hon. Friend's interest and strength of feeling. Acknowledges the need for a clean energy mission and efficiency in the energy system.
Roz Savage
Ind
Somerton and Frome
Question
Questions the security of a barrel sold on the international market at the international price for households off the gas grid. Asks what security Rosebank would provide for these households.
Minister reply
Thank the hon. Lady for her interest. Refuses to defend specific areas to avoid potentially compromising the decision-making process.
Catherine Fookes
Lab
Bristol East
Question
Agrees with drilling for oil in Rosebank. Questions the government's position on the Climate Change Act 2008 and its impact on carbon emissions targets.
Minister reply
Notes the hon. Friend's opinion and the strength of feeling on the issue. Defends the Climate Change Act and criticises the Conservative position.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
Highlights the urgent need for energy independence and the impact of soaring utility bills on fuel poverty. Asks the Minister to assure the House that the final decision will balance environmental responsibilities and domestic energy security.
Minister reply
Thanks the hon. Gentleman for raising important points. Emphasises the Secretary of State's commitment to energy affordability and the Government's efforts to address fuel poverty.
Luke Myer
Con
Havant
Question
Pleads for nuance in the debate, advocating for evidence-based decision-making and a balance between environmental and economic responsibilities.
Minister reply
Assures the hon. Friend that the Government favour evidence-based policymaking.
Question
Given the climate emergency, asks the Minister how the House will be able to scrutinise any final decision on North Sea projects and whether there will be a chance to debate and vote on it in the House.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledges the importance of the scrutiny process and confirms that the decision-making process will lead to clarity, respecting the robustness of the process.
Question
References former Prime Minister Gordon Brown's argument that the North Sea's future is about protecting jobs as workers transition into future industries. Asks if the Minister agrees that projects like Jackdaw and Rosebank matter for providing jobs, investment, skills, and tax revenues today and that a just transition should protect workers and communities.
Minister reply
The Minister respects former leaders and acknowledges the impact of the North Sea on jobs, investment, skills, and tax revenues. She states that the Secretary of State will make a decision considering new evidence received.
Shadow Comment
Andrew Bowie
Shadow Comment
Andrew Bowie thanked the Minister for her warm welcome and acknowledged the need for a robust process. However, he criticised the Government for delaying and dithering, emphasising the need for an immediate decision to support the oil and gas industry and workers in Aberdeen and the UK. He questioned whether the Government would approve Rosebank and Jackdaw and asked if they would continue the previous Secretary of State's campaign against the North sea oil and gas industry. He argued that the decision was crucial for the UK's economic and energy security, urging the Government to approve the projects.
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