By Fatma Younis
Andy Burnham is set to back legislation that would permanently ban new oil and gas exploration in the North Sea. The Energy Independence Bill, introduced by Miatta Fahnbulleh, seeks to enshrine a moratorium on new drilling projects that was established by Ed Miliband during his tenure as energy secretary.
Bill would require parliamentary majority to repeal
The proposed law would remove the North Sea Transition Authority's power to grant new licences and would make it harder for future governments to reopen the area, as repeal would require a parliamentary majority.
Existing fields unaffected
The legislation would not affect drilling at the Jackdaw gas field, which the government approved last month, or at the Rosebank oil field, which already holds an existing licence.
Government promises transitional certificates
The government said it would introduce transitional energy certificates to allow further production in existing fields, claiming the move could unlock around 60 million barrels of oil and support hundreds of jobs.
Opposition and campaigner criticism
Shadow energy secretary Andrew Bowie argued the bill would increase Britain's dependence on oil and gas imports. Climate campaigners, including Greenpeace UK, criticised the approval of the Jackdaw field, saying it would not lower energy bills or boost security and would create only 27 full-time jobs.
