UK PM Burnham will use North Sea Oil pragmatically following Trump's comments

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said that he will take a "pragmatic approach" to the development and use of oil and gas in the North Sea. This is his response to U.S. president Donald Trump's statement that the basin will be opened.

Burnham, the British Prime Minister who took office on July 20, spoke with Trump shortly afterward. Trump told reporters on June 23 that Burnham planned to continue drilling in the North Sea.

Burnham said to reporters that he had told Trump in their phone conversation that he would adopt a pragmatic approach when it came to the North Sea. This is his intention as we move forward.

There is a source there. You can't ignore people who are struggling. That is why I told the President about it.

Burnham said that he would stick to the Labour Manifesto of his predecessor Keir starmer's 2024 election victory, but that he may be more flexible on the issue of oil and natural gas licenses.

Trump was critical of Starmer’s North Sea strategy, which called for the development of licences already in place to continue but no new exploration licences.

Burnham has repeatedly said that he wants to industrialise Britain. Some trade unions and business groups have asked him to take advantage of the North Sea to create jobs and lower energy prices.

Legal challenges have put a halt to the development of two large fields, Rosebank & Jackdaw.

The licences were issued before the Labour government took power, but oil and gas extraction has been blocked until a new government approval is given. This is still pending. (Reporting and editing by Muvija M, Alistair Smout)

(source: Reuters)