Burnham to Back North Sea Oil, Take Control of Thames Water

Government officials expect Burnham to back at least the Jackdaw project. Public consultations on Jackdaw and Rosebank have recently launched. Formal approval may not come until those processes finish, a constraint that has also bound Miliband. Previous approvals for the fields were overturned by courts. The ultimate decision will rest with the person Burnham names to replace Miliband, because such project approvals are not a cabinet decision.

One official said approving Jackdaw and Rosebank would not breach Labour’s manifesto pledge to ban new exploration licenses. The licenses were granted under the previous Conservative government.

Thames Water Special Administration

Burnham’s aides have also tasked the civil service with preparing an announcement on the public control of Thames Water. They have told officials they want to make water a priority. One option being drawn up is putting Thames Water into special administration, a form of temporary nationalization. Some officials working on transition plans see it as likely Burnham will proceed with that outcome for the utility, which supplies 16 million customers in London and the surrounding areas.

New drilling will draw criticism from environmentalists and Labour’s left wing, who argue it undermines net-zero commitments. Burnham has said he will not name his new ministers until he takes office on Monday.