Politics news: Labour approves Jackdaw gas field after months of speculation

Live Labour approves Jackdaw gas field after months of speculation Stay up-to-date with all the latest political coverage from GB News below Labour has approved new gas drilling at the Jackdaw site after months of speculation. The site, off the coast of Aberdeen, is one of two North Sea projects - alongside the Rosebank oil field - that have hung over Labour after the previous Tory Government was halted due to a legal challenge. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he "welcomes" the approval, which will protect "hundreds of jobs" and keep "millions of homes warm this winter". He said: "At a time when people are really struggling, it’s right that we look in a responsible way at maximising the existing energy reserves we have in Britain that could help. "We’re committed to moving towards renewable energy and reaching net zero by 2050. But even on our ambitious climate path, we’ll still require oil and gas as part of our energy needs for decades to come." Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh has confirmed that the approved Jackdaw gas field will begin to supply Britons as soon as 'this winter'. She said in a statement: "Following careful consideration of all relevant factors I have agreed that the regulator can grant consent for gas to be produced at Jackdaw, which will begin to supply the UK with gas from this winter thanks to the highly skilled and vital North Sea workers." Donald Trump has been a major advocate of North Sea drilling, having claimed the UK was "sitting on top of gold" and listed it as one of the two major issues - alongside migration - that Britain was facing. Andrew Bowie, the Shadow Energy Secretary, said the Jackdaw decision "should be the start, not the end". He added: "There are a number of fields waiting final decision from the Secretary of State of this Government that we would like to see approved, Rosebank among them." FOLLOW BELOW FOR LIVE UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY… Sign up to the Politics Newsletter Email address Sign up I agree to receive updates and information about my account, the GB News Community, and related products and services from GB News. By signing up you agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy and Community Rules. Thank you for signing up! See the latest from GB News here . Choose GB News on Google - add us as a preferred source Choose GB News Support GB News Champion free speech and independent journalism while unlocking exclusive benefits. Support us Follow for the LATEST UPDATES throughout the day... Kemi Badenoch takes aim at Labour after approving Jackdaw gas field Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has criticised the length of time taken by the Labour Government to reach a decision on the Jackdaw gas field. She said Labour spent two years "faffing about to make a decision" which the Conservative Government had already approved. She said: "If they’d done this in the summer, we’d have had that gas heating British homes this Christmas. "An unnecessary waste of time and money by a party that puts its own interest above the country’s." Share Labour accused of 'losing control' of economy as inflation surges to highest level in almost a year Shadow Chancellor Andrew Griffith has hit out at the Government for "losing control" of the economy after inflation surged to its highest level in almost a year. He said: "Government borrowing of more than £3trillion – the highest in history – and rising inflation show Labour has lost control of the economy. "Next week’s Budget needs to take urgent action to tackle the deficit, reduce the red tape and net zero costs that are driving up the cost of living for families. "The Conservatives will always be honest about the state of our nation’s finances. We will cut welfare and wasteful spending so we can cut taxes and make our country prosperous again." Share Shadow Environment Secretary Victoria Atkins backs Labour's approval of Jackdaw but said it could have been done 'years ago' Tories criticise Labour for greenlighting Jackdaw after 'years of dither and delay' Shadow Environment Secretary Victoria Atkins has backed Labour's approval of the Jackdaw gas field, but says it could have been done "years ago". Speaking to GB News, she said: "After two years of dither, delay, and procrastination, Labour finally got there. "Yes it is the right decision, but my goodness me, they could have done this two years ago, and the gas from Jackdaw would be flowing into our homes this winter. "But they've dithered and delayed, and so it's meant that it's going to take time to work its way through the system." Share Chancellor John Healey announces new Energy Wealth Fund after Jackdaw approval Chancellor John Healey has announced a new Energy Wealth Fund, following the approval of the Jackdaw gas field. The fund will use tax revenues from North Sea oil and gas to invest in renewable and low carbon energy projects and support the green transition. Mr Healey said of the new scheme: "I want Britain's energy wealth to spark a new wave of clean power to work for the British people. "Since North Sea gas and oil were discovered decades ago, the benefit of our existing nation’s natural resources have not been turned into the long-term investment our country needs. "Through our new Energy Wealth Fund, we will invest in the clean energy industries of the future, creating jobs, driving growth and strengthening Britain's energy security." Share Jackdaw approval 'right thing for our country', says energy union GMB GMB, the energy union, described the Government's approval of Jackdaw today as "the right thing for our country". Gary Smith, GMB General Secretary, said: "This is great news. Andy Burnham’s government deserves real credit for doing the right thing for our country. “For too long, this and other vital decisions on our gas supplies and storage have been put off, risking the UK’s energy security at a time of worrying international volatility. “This positive direction of travel must continue at pace. GMB will continue to press for further, essential measures that increase our domestic energy capacity, such as granting permission for Rosebank." Share Miatta Fahnbulleh has confirmed that Jackdaw will supply Britons with gas from as soon as the 'end of this month' Jackdaw to supply Britons with gas from 'end of this month', Energy Secretary confirms Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh has confirmed that the approved Jackdaw gas field will begin to supply Britons as soon as 'this winter'. She said in a statement: "Following careful consideration of all relevant factors I have agreed that the regulator can grant consent for gas to be produced at Jackdaw, which will begin to supply the UK with gas from this winter thanks to the highly skilled and vital North Sea workers. "This decision will support the country’s energy security with homegrown gas this winter and help minimise the UK’s use of imported higher emission fuels as we continue our transition to renewables and nuclear. "The decision is compatible with our legally binding climate commitments, and we remain resolute in ending new licences for oil and gas and achieving net zero by 2050." Share Andy Burnham says approval of Jackdaw gas field will 'protect hundreds of jobs' Prime Minister Andy Burnham has declared that the approval of the Jackdaw gas field will protect "hundreds of jobs", but insists that the Government is still committed to "moving towards renewable energy. The Jackdaw field will start supplying gas to homes and businesses from the end of the month, the Government confirmed after approving the scheme. He said: "I welcome the Energy Secretary’s decision, which will protect hundreds of jobs and help keep millions of homes warm this winter. "At a time when people are really struggling, it’s right that we look in a responsible way at maximising the existing energy reserves we have in Britain that could help. "We’re committed to moving towards renewable energy and reaching net zero by 2050. But even on our ambitious climate path, we’ll still require oil and gas as part of our energy needs for decades to come. "That’s why we’re taking a pragmatic approach to the North Sea. We’re also establishing a new Energy Wealth Fund to invest in renewable energy, support the green transition and help reduce energy bills over the long-term. "Our approach will ensure we can boost our energy security, back British workers, ringfence future North Sea proceeds to speed up the green transition, hit our ambitious climate targets and – crucially – bring down bills." Share Government plans crackdown on 'cosmetic cowboys' performing dangerous procedures The Government has planned a crackdown on "cosmetic cowboys" performing dangerous procedures, including vampire facials, chemical peels and liquid Brazilian butt lifts (BBLs). Ministers said the changes would shield Britons from treatments that "can go badly wrong". A BBL is a non-surgical cosmetic procedure where dermal fillers are injected into the buttocks to alter their size or shape. But under the new rules, treatments that involve injecting fillers anywhere other than the face would only be able to be performed by qualified medics. Other high-risk treatments such as deep chemical peels and vampire facials - which use microneedling to inject platelets drawn from a patient’s own blood back into the face - would be restricted to doctors, dentists, some nurses, midwives and pharmacists. Health Minister Karin Smyth said: "If you're planning to undergo a major cosmetic procedure, you deserve to know you're in safe hands – not risking your life with a rogue operator." 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