The Energy Secretary has privately signalled his willingness to grant consent for drilling at the Jackdaw gas field but cannot publicly confirm the move until a consultation closes next month.
Jackdaw, off the coast of Aberdeen, is one of two licences in the North Sea currently held in legal limbo. The other site, Rosebank, would produce oil to be sold in a global market, but Jackdaw would be able to provide enough fuel to heat 1.4 million British homes this winter.
Miliband is keen to show the markets he would be willing to put Britain’s economic growth ahead of his Net Zero ambitions if he became Chancellor amid reports more wealthy people are planning to flee Britain if he moves into No. 11.
Andy Burnham, who is set to become Prime Minister next Monday, has already said he is “open minded” about North Sea drilling to help combat Britain’s cost-of-living crisis.
An industry source said: “They want to do it. Ed Miliband sees it as a way of showing willing to the City but they are likely to follow the law....<<<Read More>>>....
