So, will Ed Miliband give the Jackdaw field green-light after consultation is launched?

By MICHAEL BLACKLEY, SCOTTISH DAILY MAIL POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 19:42, 8 July 2026 | Updated: 19:45, 8 July 2026 A decision on opening a giant North Sea gas field took a step forward on Wednesday after a consultation was launched following years of legal wrangling. The offshore regulator has set a deadline of August 10 for views to be submitted on whether to give the green light to commencing production at the Jackdaw development. Adura, the joint venture between Shell and Equinor which is behind the project, said it will strengthen energy security and support vital jobs. An updated environmental impact assessment also said it will ‘not materially influence’ greenhouse gas emissions. It is estimated that both the Jackdaw gas field and Rosebank oil field west of Shetland can contribute £28.7billion to the economy, generate £1.8billion in tax revenues by the end of this parliament, support 3,500 jobs at peak construction and sustain 880 jobs throughout production. Neil McCulloch, chief executive of Adura, said: ‘The North Sea has helped to power Britain for more than half a century. In Jackdaw and Rosebank we have two advanced projects of national importance that can define the next chapter. Energy Security Secretary Ed Miliband will consider allowing commencing production at the Jackdaw development ‘We welcome the opening of public consultation on Jackdaw and would encourage everyone who wants to see the UK strengthen its energy security, support skilled jobs and back its world-class energy supply chain to make their voice heard. ‘Jackdaw is ready to make a major contribution to Britain’s energy needs by this winter. Alongside Rosebank, it represents a material economic opportunity that has already been realised through multibillion-pound investment – and can be sustained throughout the production life of both fields. ‘Both these projects are high economic intensity, with lower carbon intensity than alternatives.  'They are being delivered by people, businesses and communities across the UK who have built up decades of expertise in the North Sea and want to use that expertise to help power the country for years to come.  'With timely approval of Jackdaw and Rosebank, Adura can help unlock significant benefits: the energy that Britain needs, at lower associated emissions and within existing carbon budgets, alongside a major economic advantage in the national interest.’ The Jackdaw project was previously approved by the previous Conservative UK Government and the industry regulator in 2022 but the Court of Session in Edinburgh ruled that consent was granted unlawfully and developers should seek fresh approval. The Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning yesterday opened its public consultation notice, which runs to August 10. The UK Government will then decide whether to let the project proceed. Tory MP Andrew Bowie, the Shadow Scottish Secretary, said: ‘The opening of the public consultation on Jackdaw forms a pivotal moment in the future of our North Sea oil and gas industry. ‘This development, which the Conservatives have supported from the very beginning, will help shape the lives of thousands of North Sea workers for years to come. ‘Supporting this, which will give us greater energy security and create 3,500 jobs during construction, with 880 high-quality, well-paid jobs sustained throughout production, is a no-brainer. ‘That is why I encourage everyone to send a clear message to both Labour and SNP governments that we must get Britain drilling again by bringing this vital project into production.’ It's estimated Jackdaw gas field (pictured) and Rosebank oil field can contribute £28.7billion to the economy Should Britain prioritise energy security and jobs in the North Sea over environmental concerns? What's your view?The UK Government said that Energy Security Secretary Ed Miliband will consider representations made when forming a view on whether or not to agree the grant of consent but said it is unable to comment further on individual projects. The 159-page environmental impact assessment submitted by Adura found the development would account for 0.02 per cent of global greenhouse gas (GHG). It said: ‘This indicates that the project alone will not materially influence the evolution of future global GHG levels or the impacts attributed to those future GHG levels.’ The report added that the project is ‘fully in line with measures necessary to achieve a trajectory towards net zero’. Tessa Khan, the executive director of Uplift, said the development will ‘have no impact on our energy bills and do precious little to increase our gas supply’. Jack Middleton, SNP MSP for Aberdeen Central, said the Jackdaw development moving into the consultation period has led to ‘some optimism in the industry’. He wrote to Prime Minister-in-waiting Andy Burnham to urge him scrap the energy profits levy ‘hated supertax’, which he said is leading to 1,000 job losses a month.