Cabinet split over whether to approve Rosebank oilfield
Chancellor John Healey reportedly backs approving the Rosebank oilfield while Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh, who holds the formal decision, is said to be leaning towards rejecting it. A decision is expected by the end of the year.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2A split has emerged in Andy Burnham's cabinet over whether to approve drilling at the Rosebank oilfield in the North Sea, with Chancellor John Healey reported to favour it. The GuardianLC “A cabinet split has emerged over whether to approve drilling at the Rosebank oilfield, with the chancellor, John Healey, in favour of the controversial North Sea project.” Read at The Guardian ↗ GB NewsR “The dispute has placed Chancellor John Healey and Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnb” Read at GB News ↗ Mixed · 2Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh is formally responsible for the decision. The Guardian reported she was leaning towards rejecting the licence, which is on hold over environmental concerns. Officials say she has not yet decided. The GuardianLC “Officials say Fahnbulleh has not yet made her decision.” Read at The Guardian ↗ GB NewsR “Ms Fahnbulleh, who has formal responsibility for deciding whether the project can proceed, is reportedly leaning towards rejecting the application because of its environmental impact.” Read at GB News ↗ Mixed · 2Both outlets say Fahnbulleh approved the smaller Jackdaw gasfield but sees Rosebank differently. She is understood to believe that, because most of its oil would be exported, it would do less for UK energy security. Campaigners and the Guardian say Rosebank would produce emissions about seven times greater than Jackdaw. The GuardianLC “Rosebank would produce emissions about seven times greater than Jackdaw, and Fahnbulleh is understood to believe it would do less for UK energy security, given that most of the oil would be exported.” Read at The Guardian ↗ GB NewsR “Environmental campaigners have warned that developing the site could produce seven times as much carbon dioxide as the Jackdaw gas field east of Aberdeen.” Read at GB News ↗
Left · 1Fahnbulleh told the Guardian: "One is a gasfield that caters for the domestic market, while the other is an oilfield that is mainly for export." She said each application must be judged in its own right and consistently with climate obligations and carbon budgets. The GuardianLC ““One is a gasfield that caters for the domestic market, while the other is an oilfield that is mainly for export,” she said.” Read at The Guardian ↗ Right · 1GB News quotes her saying "only I can make that decision" and dismissing speculation that others were deciding. It also reports that the process is quasi-judicial, with even her special advisers excluded from the documents. GB NewsR “Speaking to journalists this week, she said: "Ultimately, only I can make that decision."”“the Rosebank decision would follow a quasi-judicial procedure, weighing all relevant evidence including environmental assessments and public consultation submissions.” Read at GB News ↗ Mixed · 2Healey hinted at his support in an ITV interview, when he described a new energy wealth fund as a home for "oil and gas" revenues. Some read this as anticipating Rosebank income. GB News links his stance to fiscal pressure to fund defence and social care, citing the Telegraph. The GuardianLC “The chancellor hinted at his support last week when he told ITV he expected oil and gas revenues to contribute to a new energy wealth fund, suggesting he was anticipating income from Rosebank.” Read at The Guardian ↗ GB NewsR “The Chancellor faces the challenge of finding billions of pounds to fund defence and social care commitments, and the revenues from Rosebank could provide a significant boost.” Read at GB News ↗
Mixed · 2The Guardian says the prime minister would be expected to make the final call if there is conflict. It adds that the Mail on Sunday reported Burnham and Healey had agreed to try to push the project through, and that No 10 declined to comment, saying it was a matter for the energy secretary. GB News says Downing Street insisted Burnham was not involved, while a government source told the Telegraph the decision "has to sit with the Prime Minister". The GuardianLC “No 10 declined to comment on Sunday after the Mail on Sunday reported that Andy Burnham and Healey had agreed to try to push the project through, saying it was a matter for the energy secretary.” Read at The Guardian ↗ GB NewsR “Downing Street insisted on Sunday evening that Mr Burnham was not involved in the decision.”“"It's a big decision and it has to sit with the Prime Minister," the source said.” Read at GB News ↗ Right · 1GB News, citing the Telegraph, says Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband also opposes the development, having called it "climate vandalism". It reports Rosebank is believed to hold about 500 million barrels, and that unions are divided: GMB and Unite back it, Unison opposes. GB NewsR “Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is also opposed to the development. He has previously described proposals to extract oil from Rosebank as "climate vandalism"”“Unison, however, has taken the opposite view.” Read at GB News ↗ Mixed · 2The Guardian says Labour MPs warned of a big pushback if Rosebank is approved, and have discussed ways to force or encourage a parliamentary vote. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said it does not comment on speculation and that any decision will weigh all relevant evidence. A final decision is expected before the end of the year; GB News says within weeks. The GuardianLC “Labour MPs said on Wednesday that there would be a big pushback in the party if Rosebank was approved”“A final decision is expected before the end of the year.” Read at The Guardian ↗ GB NewsR “A decision is expected within the coming weeks.” Read at GB News ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- Leads on the cabinet split as a test for the climate-minded energy secretary, with the stakes as a blow to industry or a victory for campaigners.
- Emphasis
- Fahnbulleh's reasoning on Jackdaw versus Rosebank, emissions, Labour MP pushback and the possible parliamentary vote.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention Ed Miliband's opposition, union divisions or the Telegraph's 500 million barrel estimate.
- Charged language
- “controversial”
- For example
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“If the Rosebank field is rejected, it would be a blow for the North Sea energy industry and a major victory for climate campaigners.” — The Guardian
Centre0 outlets
No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Leads on Healey backing drilling, presenting a Cabinet battle that could divide Burnham's Government and putting the Prime Minister in a difficult position.
- Emphasis
- Fiscal motives, the size of the field, union backing for the project, and Miliband's earlier criticism; leans heavily on Telegraph reporting.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Omits the Labour MP pushback and the discussion of a parliamentary vote.
- Charged language
- “Cabinet battle”“climate vandalism”
- For example
-
“A Cabinet battle has erupted over plans to drill at Britain’s largest undeveloped oil and gas field.” — GB News
What every side reports
- Healey is reported to back Rosebank and Fahnbulleh is reported to be leaning against it.
- Fahnbulleh holds formal responsibility for the decision and approved the Jackdaw gasfield.
- Rosebank would produce about seven times the emissions of Jackdaw, and most of its oil would be exported.
- Healey's ITV comments on an energy wealth fund were read as a hint of support for Rosebank.
Where accounts differ
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Burnham's role in the decision
- Left
- No 10 declined to comment on a Mail on Sunday report that Burnham and Healey agreed to push the project through, saying it was a matter for the energy secretary; the PM is expected to make the final call if there is conflict.
- Right
- Downing Street insisted Burnham was not involved, though a government source told the Telegraph the decision ultimately sits with the Prime Minister.
John Healey person
Reported to back approval; he hinted at support through his ITV remarks on oil and gas revenues for the energy wealth fund.
“It is understood, however, that Healey backs approving the licence” — The Guardian
“Mr Healey is backing plans to develop the Rosebank field” — GB News
Miatta Fahnbulleh person
Says the decision is hers alone and must be judged on its own merits and climate obligations; reportedly leaning towards rejection, though undecided according to officials.
““It is right that we judge each application in its own right” — The Guardian
“"Ultimately, only I can make that decision."” — GB News
Andy Burnham person
The Mail on Sunday reported he agreed with Healey to push it through; No 10 declined to comment, and per GB News said he was not involved.
“No 10 declined to comment on Sunday after the Mail on Sunday reported that Andy Burnham and Healey had agreed to try to push the project through” — The Guardian
“Downing Street insisted on Sunday evening that Mr Burnham was not involved in the decision.” — GB News
Left1 article
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Cabinet split emerges over controversial Rosebank oilfield decision
Neutral Reports the split from Whitehall sources, centring Fahnbulleh's climate and energy-security reasoning and Labour backbench unease.
Centre0 articles
No coverage yet.
Right1 article
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GB NewsR ·
John Healey backs Rosebank oil drilling despite Cabinet split
Mixed Frames a Cabinet battle that could divide Burnham's Government, stressing fiscal incentives, union splits and the Prime Minister's predicament.
- 25 Oct 20:29 First The GuardianLC Cabinet split emerges over controversial Rosebank oilfield decision
- 26 Oct 10:19 +13h 50m GB NewsR John Healey backs Rosebank oil drilling despite Cabinet split
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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