UK Speaker Slams Energy Secretary's Absence Over North Sea Drilling Decision
Sir Lindsay Hoyle criticizes the government for announcing the Jackdaw gas field approval to the media before informing Parliament, while the Energy Secretary was in Aberdeen.
House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle criticized the government for announcing the decision to permit new North Sea drilling to the media before informing Members of Parliament. He also expressed disapproval of Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh's absence from the House to address the matter, noting she was in Aberdeen to unveil the Jackdaw gas field decision on live television.
Sir Lindsay stated that it was "simply not good enough" for the decision to be leaked and announced by the Secretary of State via media interviews before it could be scrutinized in Parliament. He suggested that an inquiry might be needed to determine if the department was deliberately briefing the media.
Energy minister Michael Shanks, who appeared in the chamber ahead of a statement on the Jackdaw project, acknowledged the Speaker's comments and said he would relay them to his department. The Jackdaw project, initially approved by the previous Conservative government in 2022, faced delays due to a legal challenge by Greenpeace. Labour ministers were subsequently tasked with deciding whether drilling should proceed.
The government defended the decision in Parliament, despite backlash from environmental groups and some within the Labour party. Downing Street maintains that a 2024 manifesto pledge against new North Sea developments does not apply in this instance, as the site was already earmarked.
The project is anticipated to increase domestic gas production by approximately 6% at its peak, secure hundreds of jobs, and contribute an estimated £2.9 billion to the economy. Tax revenues generated from North Sea oil and gas will reportedly be directed into a new energy wealth fund, initially seeded with £2 billion, for investment in renewable and low-carbon projects.
Energy Secretary Fahnbulleh acknowledged that the development would contribute to climate change and would not lower gas prices. However, she emphasized that utilizing domestically produced gas is preferable to importing it. She also suggested that a second project, Rosebank, might not be approved, indicating that oil is less relevant to domestic energy concerns.
The decision has drawn commentary from various figures, including former President Donald Trump, who praised the news and urged the UK to proceed with extensive drilling. Conservative MP Kemi Badenoch also questioned the government's approach at Prime Minister's Questions.