The Independent, on Climate, 5 November 2026

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New oil and gas drilling in North Sea set to be banned – what we know

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Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Join today Already a member? Log in New oil and gas drilling in North Sea set to be banned – what we know Harriette Boucher Thursday 05 November 2026 08:28 GMT Bookmark popover Removed from bookmarks Close popover Government approves drilling in Jackdaw gas field Energy secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh has introduced the Energy Independence Bill to permanently ban new North Sea oil and gas exploration licences.

Andy Burnham is backing the proposed legislation, which delivers on Labour 's manifesto pledge to halt new drilling projects. Existing licensed sites, including the Jackdaw gas field, will remain unaffected while transitional energy certificates are introduced for current operations. Shadow energy secretary Andrew Bowie criticised the move, warning it will heighten Britain's reliance on foreign energy imports. The bill also contains measures to scrap household gas standing charges, amid ongoing criticism from climate campaigners over existing project approvals.

In full Burnham set to close North Sea to new oil and gas drilling

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About this analysis

The Independent reports in a short bulletin that the energy secretary, Miatta Fahnbulleh, has introduced the Energy Independence Bill to ban new North Sea oil and gas exploration licences, with Andy Burnham's backing and existing sites such as Jackdaw left in place. It attributes the Conservative objection to the shadow energy secretary and notes criticism from climate campaigners. Nothing in it misleads the reader.

What it gets right

  • “Energy secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh has introduced the Energy Independence Bill to permanently ban new North Sea oil and gas exploration licences.”

    The article names the minister who introduced the bill. It states the bill's actual scope as a ban on new exploration licences, which matches how other outlets describe the legislation.

  • “Existing licensed sites, including the Jackdaw gas field, will remain unaffected”

    The article tells the reader plainly what the ban does not cover. The headline's talk of banning new drilling is not left to suggest that production in the North Sea stops.

  • “Shadow energy secretary Andrew Bowie criticised the move, warning it will heighten Britain's reliance on foreign energy imports.”

    The article gives the claim about import reliance to the politician who made it. It does not state that forecast in its own voice.

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