The UK government has approved drilling at the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea, ending months of speculation over one of Britain’s most divisive energy projects.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the decision would “protect hundreds of jobs and help keep millions of homes warm this winter,” citing price shocks from the Iran war. “Even on our ambitious climate path, we’ll still require oil and gas as part of our energy needs for decades to come,” he said.

Industry groups welcomed the move. Environmentalists say it will worsen carbon emissions.

It also splits Labour, which promised in 2024 not to issue new oil and gas drilling licences. Supporters argue Jackdaw is not a new site: the previous Conservative government approved drilling there, and the field already has infrastructure in place.

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