The Newshound

Unions split over Rosebank oil field as actors and firefighters clash with Unite over North Sea drilling

Andy Burnham, whose government is preparing to rule on both the Rosebank and Jackdaw fields, faces an open letter from ten unions — including Equity and the Fire Brigades Union — urging him to block North Sea drilling.
Andy Burnham, whose government is preparing to rule on both the Rosebank and Jackdaw fields, faces an open letter from ten unions — including Equity and the Fire Brigades Union — urging him to block North Sea drilling.

A rift has opened among trade unions over Rosebank after Equity, the Fire Brigades Union and eight others put their names to an open letter calling on Andy Burnham to block the North Sea oil field — a stance that puts them directly at odds with Unite, whose general secretary Sharon Graham has pressed ministers to greenlight drilling without delay. The split emerges as Burnham's government prepares to announce its decisions on both Rosebank and the Jackdaw gas field, with the ruling on Jackdaw said to be the more immediately forthcoming.

Blocking Rosebank and Jackdaw could cost the UK economy £10.8 billion and 3,330 jobs a year by 2035, according to a report by developers Adura.

Five further North Sea projects — including Cambo, Tornado and Kyla — are waiting on the Rosebank and Jackdaw rulings before they can seek environmental consent.

Kemi Badenoch urged Burnham to 'stop faffing about' and approve drilling as a way of pushing UK energy prices lower.

MoreDaily Mail NewsUnions at war over new drilling for North Sea oilThe IndependentTen unions call on Burnham to reject drilling at Rosebank oil fieldBusinessGreen'Outright arson': Trade unions urge government to reject Rosebank oil field - BusinessGreenThe HeraldUnions urge Andy Burnham to reject controversial Rosebank oil development
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