Burnham says government will not back away from Jackdaw and Rosebank North Sea oil decisions

Andy Burnham, speaking to reporters in Motherwell, said the government has no intention of retreating from its position on the Jackdaw and Rosebank oil and gas fields. His remarks came hours after Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said a decision on Jackdaw is "imminent". Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander explained that ministers are being deliberately "cautious" in their public comments on both fields, in order not to repeat the legal errors committed under the Conservatives. Fahnbulleh confirmed that Rosebank, the North Sea's largest undeveloped oil field, will require "a bit longer" before a decision is reached.

Earlier court rulings struck down approvals for both Jackdaw and Rosebank, on the grounds that the environmental impact of burning the extracted fuels had not been adequately considered.

Alexander rejected SNP First Minister John Swinney's assertion that GB Energy has so far done 'literally, absolutely nothing'.

The Jackdaw decision remains with Fahnbulleh in what Alexander described as 'a pretty closed box process' even within government.