Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Rosebank Oil and Gas Field

Tuesday 13 October 2026 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister cannot comment on particular projects being considered for decisions.
  • Government is considering evidence submitted on Rosebank and Jackdaw projects.
  • Oil and gas will continue to be critical in the UK's energy mix for decades.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Context

Concern over the approval of the Rosebank oil and gas field and its implications for meeting climate change targets, citing constituent concerns and recent extreme weather events.

Question

Many of my constituents in Putney have written to me about this. They are very concerned about Rosebank's lifetime emissions, which are equivalent to 254 million tonnes of CO2. With extreme weather this summer and increased call-outs for the London ambulance service due to the heatwave, can the Minister tell me whether approving Rosebank is compatible with the UK's climate targets and obligations under the Paris agreement?

Answer from Michael Shanks

Let me reiterate that I cannot comment on particular projects that are being considered for decisions. On the more general point that my hon. Friend rightly raises, it is imperative that we look at the impact that climate change is having. We all lived through this summer, and have seen the evidence of climate change up close. It is important that any decisions we make are compatible with our climate obligations. As even the Conservatives have now accepted, any new projects in the North sea will not take a penny off bills.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify whether approving Rosebank is compatible with climate targets

How: Cannot Comment On Particular Projects

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Context

Concern over job losses in Aberdeen South due to delays in approving Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas projects.

Question

Producing our own oil and gas means that we will import less dirtier hydrocarbons, so it is common sense to use our own resources. While Labour dithers on approving Rosebank and Jackdaw, thousands of my constituents in Aberdeen South are losing their jobs. Will the Minister set out a timetable for deciding whether Rosebank and Jackdaw can proceed?

Answer from Michael Shanks

As I have said on a number of occasions, we are considering the evidence that has been submitted on these projects. We have had to pick up a process that was left behind by the previous Government, and we have done that as quickly as possible. We will make decisions in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific timetable for deciding on Rosebank and Jackdaw

How: Considering The Evidence, Will Make Decisions In Due Course

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Context

Reference to Canada's approach to energy transition and the Prime Minister's statement on drilling in the North sea.

Question

In Canada, Prime Minister Carney has taken a more pragmatic approach to the energy transition than his predecessor, notably by designating the west coast oil pipeline as a project of national interest. In this country, the Prime Minister says that drilling in the North sea is something that he is pragmatic about. Does the Minister agree with continued drilling in the North sea, and does he see us taking a similar approach to Canada, and securing agreement to emission reductions in return for that drilling?

Answer from Michael Shanks

It is pragmatic to say that oil and gas will continue to be a critical part of our energy mix for decades to come, and the North sea remains an important part of that. We are not about switching off the taps in the North sea—we said that in our manifesto, and we will deliver on it—but we are about building clean energy in the future.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify agreement to emission reductions

How: Pragmatic To Say Oil And Gas Will Continue, Building Clean Energy In The Future

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Q4 Bill Esterson Lab Sefton Central
Context

Previous statements from the Secretary of State indicating that new oil and gas development is irresponsible and short-sighted.

Question

The Secretary of State has previously said that if we are to have any shot at meeting our climate change targets, “we can't have any new oil and gas”. She also said that new fossil fuel development was “irresponsible and short-sighted”. There is nothing pragmatic about pouring more fuel on the fire of the climate crisis. Does the Secretary of State still agree with herself? If so, why will the Government not rule out Rosebank and Jackdaw?

Answer from Michael Shanks

It is pragmatic to say that oil and gas will continue to be a critical part of our energy mix for decades to come, and the North sea remains an important part of that. We are not about switching off the taps in the North sea—we said that in our manifesto, and we will deliver on it—but we are about building clean energy in the future.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address consistency with previous statements or ruling out Rosebank and Jackdaw

How: Pragmatic To Say Oil And Gas Will Continue, Building Clean Energy In The Future

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Context

Current global energy supply crisis and potential for Jackdaw and Rosebank to provide oil and gas this winter.

Question

We are in a global energy supply crisis, as oil shipments remain stuck; a fifth of global liquefied natural gas supplies have been disrupted by the war in Iran; and across Europe, gas reserves are at record lows as we head into winter. But there is good news: Jackdaw and Rosebank could be producing oil and gas this winter. The bad news is that we have a Government who are either too scared of their green lobby, or too naive about the supply risks that we face, to act. Now that the Holborn and St Pancras by-election is over, and before we get too close to COP, when will the Government finally take our energy security seriously and permit Jackdaw and Rosebank?

Answer from Michael Shanks

I congratulate the hon. Lady on her new role as shadow Secretary of State for Scotland, as well as on staying in the energy brief. She eloquently outlines the exact problem at the heart of the Conservative party's policy. We will make pragmatic decisions on the future of the North sea, but we are also all about our energy security long into the future.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify when the Government will permit Jackdaw and Rosebank

How: Eloquent Outline Of The Problem, Pragmatic Decisions On North Sea Future

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