UK: Burnham and Badenoch clash over Jackdaw gas field and borrowing at PMQs; PM asks ministers to look at removing gas standing charges
On the day the government approved production at the North Sea Jackdaw gas field, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Prime Minister Andy Burnham of "dithering" and pressed him on public debt, which passed £3 trillion. Burnham said he had asked the chancellor and energy secretary to look into removing standing charges from gas bills.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch clashed over North Sea gas and public finances at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday 21 October, hours after the government approved production at the Jackdaw gas field.
Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh agreed that the North Sea Transition Authority could grant consent for the already-licensed field, which the government said could supply gas from the end of October and raise domestic production by about 6% at its peak. Chancellor John Healey announced an Energy Wealth Fund, starting with £2 billion, to invest North Sea tax revenue in renewable and low-carbon energy, according to GOV.UK.
Badenoch thanked Burnham for the decision but accused the government of “dithering”, the BBC reported. Burnham replied that the Conservatives had “messed up” the original 2022 approval, which was delayed by court challenges, and said he had asked the chancellor and energy secretary to look into removing standing charges from gas bills.
Badenoch said government debt had passed £3 trillion and asked whether Burnham would “cut the welfare bill” in the 28 October Budget. Burnham cited an International Monetary Fund assessment of the UK’s deficit reduction. On inflation, which official figures showed rising to 3.5% in September, he said the Middle East situation had contributed.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey urged Burnham to rejoin the EU single market and customs union; Burnham pointed to an upcoming UK–EU summit. Green MP Ellie Chowns criticised the Jackdaw decision on climate grounds.
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