Incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham is facing significant pressure from climate campaigners to reject plans for new North Sea oil and gas drilling as he prepares to assume office. While reports suggest his new administration is drafting energy policies that may include expanded drilling—alongside potential moves to take public control of Thames Water—activists from groups including Greenpeace and Uplift have urged him to resist the industry's demands. Critics argue that new drilling will not alleviate high energy costs or long-term job losses in the sector and would be incompatible with addressing the climate crisis. This pushback follows calls from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who has positioned support for drilling as an essential economic and political priority.

Incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham is facing significant pressure from climate campaigners to reject plans for new North Sea oil and gas drilling as he prepares to assume office. While reports suggest his new administration is drafting energy policies that may include expanded drilling—alongside potential moves to take public control of Thames Water—activists from groups including Greenpeace and Uplift have urged him to resist the industry's demands. Critics argue that new drilling will not alleviate high energy costs or long-term job losses in the sector and would be incompatible with addressing the climate crisis. This pushback follows calls from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who has positioned support for drilling as an essential economic and political priority.