UK Cabinet Split Over Rosebank Oilfield: Chancellor Healey Favors Drilling, Energy Secretary Fahnbulleh Leans Toward Rejection

A significant cabinet rift has surfaced over the future of the Rosebank oilfield, one of the UK's largest untapped North Sea reserves. Chancellor John Healey supports approving drilling, citing economic benefits and energy security, while Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh, who holds final authority, is reportedly leaning toward rejecting the project on climate grounds. This follows her recent approval of the smaller Jackdaw gasfield, highlighting the government's struggle to balance energy needs with climate commitments. The decision on Rosebank, operated by Equinor, has become a litmus test for Labour's environmental credibility, with implications for jobs, investment, and the UK's net-zero targets. A rejection would signal a major shift away from new oil and gas, potentially affecting thousands of jobs in Scotland, while approval could undermine the government's green agenda. The outcome will shape the UK's energy policy for years to come.