Burnham says he told Trump UK will be pragmatic about North Sea oil

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has stated that in his discussions with US President Donald Trump, he committed to taking a “pragmatic approach” regarding North Sea oil and gas. Trump has consistently called for the UK to increase drilling in the region and claimed that Burnham pledged to “open up the North Sea” during their initial phone conversation. Addressing these remarks, Burnham acknowledged the presence of valuable resources and emphasized the need to consider them, particularly in times of economic hardship.

Burnham is currently facing pressure from various trade unions, industry leaders, and some Labour MPs to support expanded exploration and extraction activity in the North Sea. While the Labour Party’s 2024 general election manifesto promised not to grant new drilling licenses, it committed to honoring those already issued. Ed Miliband, who serves as foreign secretary in Burnham’s government and previously worked as energy secretary under Sir Keir Starmer, has been a strong advocate for the party’s official stance. Miliband notably criticized the license given to Rosebank, the UK’s largest untapped oil field, calling it “climate vandalism.”

Although no official government statements on policy shifts have been made, President Trump has praised what he interprets as a new UK position on North Sea drilling. On social media, the day before Burnham’s appointment as prime minister, Trump posted about celebrations in Aberdeen, Scotland, following Burnham’s supposed announcement to fully open the North Sea oil fields. Trump also remarked that unlocking these resources could make the UK wealthier and highlighted Norway’s success in managing its North Sea assets and sovereign wealth fund, noting that Scotland holds a prime portion of the oil fields.

Responding to Trump’s comments, Burnham reiterated that during their phone call he expressed a pragmatic approach towards North Sea oil policy and that this would guide future decisions. However, his stance has attracted criticism from environmental voices such as Green Party leader Zack Polanski, who warned that expanding fossil fuel extraction amidst ongoing climate crises would exacerbate environmental damage and risk lives. Meanwhile, Conservative and Reform parties have called for increased drilling to lower energy costs, with some Labour MPs expressing concern about climate impacts and urging adherence to scientific guidance. Energy affordability remains contentious, with experts like Simon Francis of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition explaining that increased drilling does not directly translate into cheaper household bills, as gas pricing operates on global market dynamics. The government has made limited concessions allowing production linked to existing licenses, but pending legal challenges over key fields like Rosebank and Jackdaw mean final decisions on development have yet to be made

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