UK’s new Energy Secretary Fahnbulleh pledges pragmatic North Sea approach as unions demand urgent talks
AI-madeMiatta Fahnbulleh has pledged a “pragmatic” approach to North Sea oil and gas just days after replacing Ed Miliband as UK Energy Secretary. Speaking to Times Radio, she reaffirmed Labour’s ban on new licenses while signalling continuity for existing ones—but stopped short of detailing how her tenure might differ from her predecessor’s. Union leaders, already warning of job losses and energy security risks, are pushing for urgent talks with the new minister.
Fahnbulleh takes over as Energy Secretary with pragmatism pledge
Miatta Fahnbulleh stepped into one of the most politically charged roles in Westminster when she replaced Ed Miliband as energy secretary. Her first public comments were carefully calibrated—emphasizing pragmatism without offering specifics.
When pressed on Times Radio, she kept things deliberately vague: “I think it is about pragmatism.” That framing gives her room to maneuver, though she didn’t spell out how her approach would actually differ from Miliband’s.
Decisions on two significant developments — Jackdaw and Rosebank — are moving through the consenting process, and both are being watched closely by the industry.
The ambiguity is worth noticing. Miliband was a polarizing figure, strongly associated with pushing away from fossil fuels. Fahnbulleh’s reluctance to distance herself from him—or fully align with him either—leaves the industry, unions, and investors reading between the lines.
Labour policy on North Sea licenses remains unchanged
On the central question of new licenses, she left no room for doubt. Labour’s ban on issuing new North Sea licenses stays in place, and existing licenses will keep being honored—consistent with the party’s position since taking office.
She described oil and gas as remaining “part of the energy mix” while the UK transitions toward cleaner energy. That framing acknowledges the sector’s continued relevance without endorsing its expansion.
The timing adds pressure. Decisions on two significant developments — Jackdaw and Rosebank — are moving through the consenting process, and both are being watched closely by the industry. These cases sit in a grey zone: they predate the new licensing policy but remain unresolved. Any move on either one will be read as a signal about the government’s real direction, making them an early test of what “pragmatism” actually looks like in practice.
Unions warn of job losses and energy security risks
Union leaders aren’t waiting around to find out. They’re pushing for an early meeting with Fahnbulleh, making clear they want a seat at the table before any further policy decisions land.
The GMB’s general secretary, Gary Smith, has been among the most vocal. He argues that pulling back on domestic production doesn’t just hit the energy sector — it carries knock-on consequences for jobs, national finances, and the UK’s ability to power itself without leaning on foreign supply chains.
“In a dangerous world, it is essential that we have a secure domestic supply of energy to power our homes, businesses, and public services,” Smith said, going further to warn that “increasing our reliance on imported energy also has a damaging impact on the nation’s finances.”
Smith’s framing is pointed. He characterizes current policy as actively “choosing imports over UK energy production”—language designed to make the trade-off feel concrete and costly, not abstract. That argument hits differently in the current geopolitical climate, where energy security is a live concern across Europe and the case for domestic production carries more weight than it would’ve a few years ago.
Government reaffirms North Sea’s role in UK energy strategy
Despite the tensions, the government’s official position is more supportive of the sector than critics sometimes let on. A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero described the North Sea as “a vital national asset.”
The department’s statement acknowledged that “oil and gas will continue to play an important role in our energy system for decades to come, alongside renewables, nuclear, and other low-carbon technologies.” That’s a longer timeframe than many environmental advocates would prefer, and it signals the government isn’t treating the sector as something to wind down quickly.
The focus, the department said, is on “providing stability” and ensuring the North Sea “continues to make a strong contribution to the UK’s economy and energy security” — precisely the reassurances the industry and unions have been asking for. Whether that language translates into concrete decisions, particularly on Jackdaw and Rosebank, remains an open question.
What this means going forward
Here’s where things stand. Fahnbulleh is the new energy secretary, committed to a pragmatic approach without fully defining what that means. Labour’s ban on new North Sea licenses is unchanged; existing licenses will be honored, and oil and gas stay part of the energy mix during the transition.
Unions, led by voices like Gary Smith at the GMB, are seeking urgent talks. Their concerns center on job losses and the risks of over-relying on imported energy—talks that haven’t happened yet, but the pressure behind them is real.
The government insists the North Sea remains a vital national asset and that fossil fuels will play a role in the energy system for decades. Pending decisions on Jackdaw and Rosebank will ultimately give the clearest picture of how Fahnbulleh’s pragmatism actually plays out.
Kelly is an experienced writer with 15 years of experience exploring the big stories that shape our world, from tech breakthroughs and space exploration to climate, energy, and the fascinating quirks of science. She has a talent for turning complex ideas into sharp, memorable insights that stay with readers long after they’ve finished reading.
