Prime Minister Andy Burnham vows Britain will hit net zero by 2050 despite approving the North Sea Jackdaw gas field

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to prevent any new North Sea licences from being granted, even as Jackdaw's approval is set to raise domestic gas output by around 6%. He described oil and gas as a 'bridge' to a clean-energy future and committed the UK to reaching net zero by 2050. Labour backbenchers and environmentalists condemned the decision. The Conservatives are pressing for Rosebank, the oil field west of Shetland, to be greenlit as well.

President Donald Trump cheered 'Andy is getting it done', claiming Britain is 'opening up North Sea oil'.

Jackdaw lies 150 miles east of Aberdeen and received the go-ahead following a prolonged period of uncertainty that included legal action.

Burnham pointed to a record summer with 'nurses collapsing on hospital wards' to defend his climate drive.