UK Government Defends North Sea Drilling Announcement Method Amid Speaker's Rebuke
Downing Street insists it followed long-standing practice by announcing the Jackdaw gas field approval to media before parliamentary statements.
The UK government has defended its communication strategy regarding the approval of drilling in the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea, after the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, strongly criticized ministers for announcing the decision to the media before informing Parliament.
Sir Lindsay expressed his anger on Wednesday, stating that Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh had allowed her deputy, Michael Shanks, to address MPs while the plans had already been revealed publicly, including on television in Aberdeen. He accused ministers of rejecting parliamentary convention, where major decisions are typically announced to the House first.
Downing Street, however, pushed back on Thursday, asserting that the method of announcing commercially sensitive plans, particularly early in the morning before markets open, has been a "long-standing practice" adopted by successive governments. A spokesperson for Number 10 stated that this approach ensures announcements with potential market impact are made in a "fair and orderly way." The government also noted that Parliament was informed via a written statement ahead of the oral statement, which took place after Prime Minister's Questions.
The approval of the Jackdaw gas field comes after months of deliberation. The project is expected to increase domestic gas production by approximately 6% at its peak, support hundreds of jobs, and contribute an estimated £2.9 billion to the economy. Energy Secretary Fahnbulleh highlighted the importance of energy security amidst global conflicts, stating, "At a point when we have got conflict in the Middle East that is triggering an energy crisis, energy security is vital, and homegrown energy is key."
Despite the green light for Jackdaw, the government is reportedly "minded to reject" drilling at the Rosebank oil field, another significant North Sea prospect. A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero described this as speculation, adding that "each project will be assessed on its own merits."