PRIME Minister Andy Burnham faces a crunch decision on the future North Sea oil and gas, as the consultation on new licences to drill draw to a close.

Labour came to office in 2024 with a manifesto pledge to block new oil and gas, but proposals to exploit Britain’s largest untapped reserve, the 300 million barrel Rosebank, along with the 250 million barrel Jacksaw, remained in the ministerial in-tray.

Since entering No 10 last month speculation has grown that Mr Burnham may be about to accede to demands for new drilling from oil companies and trade unions such as Unite — who fear further job losses in a sector still lacking a green transition plan.

While the Jackdaw consultation closed on Monday, Rosebank’s will end next week as Britain enters its fifth heatwave this year, a point not lost on Labour MP Clive Lewis in his letter to Ms Fahnbulleh.

“Analysts have said that the May and June 2026 heatwaves were associated with more than 2,700 excess heat-related deaths across England and Wales,” he said.

“These events are becoming more frequent and severe as climate breakdown intensifies.

“Approving new drilling would undermine efforts to address the climate crisis and put a safe, liveable future further out of reach.”

Underlining the split in Labour, however, Scottish MP Graeme Downie warned “jobs will disappear and expertise will be lost” without new drilling and urged the government to “manage the decline of the North Sea in a way that protects workers, supports communities and builds the industries that will power Britain’s future.”

Branding new drilling “ridiculous,” Greenpeace UK’s head of politics, Ami McCarthy urged the government to “hold fast on their no new oil and gas commitment,” adding: “We need true investment in the clean energy industries of the future, which are our only dependable path to good jobs, lower bills, and long-term prosperity.”

A government spokesperson commented: “The North Sea remains a vital national asset, supporting jobs, growth and the UK’s energy security.

“We are clear that oil and gas will continue to play an important role in our energy system for decades to come, alongside renewables, nuclear and other low-carbon technologies.

“Our focus is on providing stability and supporting North Sea workers and communities as they continue to make a vital contribution to the UK’s economy.”