A European continental shelf sea linking the Atlantic to the North
The government has signaled it will approve the Jackdaw gas field and Rosebank oil field after consultations, with Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh preparing to issue a recommendation and push the North Sea program forward to support jobs and energy security despite climate concerns.
Andy Burnham has secured overwhelming MP backing and appears poised to become Labour's leader and prime minister, with nominations advancing and a potential coronation by mid-July. Al Carns has ruled himself out, leaving Burnham as the sole declared candidate as nominations continue and a parliamentary hustings looms.
Andy Burnham has become prime minister and has announced a cabinet that removes key Starmer allies, appoints John Healey as chancellor and moves Ed Miliband to the Foreign Office. Burnham has promised immediate measures to give households "breathing space", to end rough sleeping and to set out how he will pay for his plans this week.
Andy Burnham has been confirmed as Labour leader at a special conference in London and will become prime minister on Monday after Keir Starmer formally resigns to the King. Burnham has secured overwhelming support from Labour MPs, pledged a "distinctively Labour" government, and promised to devolve power, tackle social care and focus on growth outside London.
Growing pressure surrounds North Sea developments as Labour’s Burnham weighs policy changes. Rosebank and Jackdaw face regulatory reviews and environmental scrutiny, while the EPL windfall tax looms over investment. Officials caution against early approvals as consultations wrap up, with debates centring on energy security, jobs, and climate impacts.
Andy Burnham has become Labour leader following a political surge that has installed him as the UK’s prime minister-designate. The transition begins with formalities at Buckingham Palace and culminates in a Downing Street address after polling and a party mandate shaped by recent local elections.
The Labour leadership has scrapped plans for a mandatory digital ID for workers, redirecting resources to tackle the cost of living and local economic growth. Right-to-work checks remain in place and will be conducted digitally where needed. The shift follows pressure over privacy concerns and a backlash to the policy.
Labour leader Andy Burnham has moved to consolidate power after key reshuffles, but tensions within the party signal persistent factionalism. Bloomberg and The Guardian report on the widening rift between Burnham’s camp and rivals, with lingering concerns over policy direction and leadership dynamics.
The new Labour leader, Andy Burnham, has delivered a nationwide address outlining priorities for restoring government credibility and easing the cost of living. He frames his tenure as a call for honesty, reflection, and a cautious path to steady governance, with a pledge to deliver tangible improvements.
The Labour leadership has appointed John Healey as chancellor, with Andy Burnham promising rapid moves to cut living costs and boost growth, while reshaping defence and economic policy. Cabinet changes reflect a broader reshuffle aimed at reunifying Labour after leadership transitions.
Western officials say Moscow’s surface fleet remains stretched as it steps up escort duties for the shadow fleet, moving oil and evading sanctions. NATO reports show ships are being boarded for intelligence, while submarines remain a strategic asset. Tensions near European waters are rising as live-fire drills and shadow-escort operations draw closer to allied forces.
New prime minister has pledged to reduce the welfare bill and make some benefits conditional on work while warning that the NHS could collapse if social care is not fixed. He says there will be no early election and will defend Britain’s interests in dealings with the US, including Donald Trump.
The government has scrapped the planned digital ID program, shifting funds to ease households’ electricity bills. Burnham’s administration says the move aims to provide relief amid rising living costs, and reverses Starmer’s earlier plan that faced widespread opposition and a large petition.
Labour’s Andy Burnham has taken office as prime minister, facing immediate pressure over cabinet changes, North Sea policy, and party cohesion, while Reform UK and other rivals reposition for the next general election.
OEUK argues Jackdaw and Rosebank have an overwhelming case for development, saying the projects will boost energy security, jobs and investment while producing oil and gas with lower emissions than imports. Environmentalists warn of climate risks and potential legal challenges as consultations run through August.
A collision at the Port of Tyne has released up to a billion nurdles into the North Sea, prompting the largest volunteer-led clean-up along the North East coast. Authorities warn the pellets could persist for years, threaten wildlife, and draw scrutiny over response times and accountability.
The new British prime minister has stated that defending Britain’s national interests comes first in its dealings with the United States. In a warm initial exchange with President Trump, the PM says he will voice differences if needed and will not rush to elections. Defence spending remains a key issue as ministers map out plans ahead of the autumn budget.
Sir Ian Wood has died at 84, ending a career that transformed a Aberdeen-based fishing yard into a global energy services group. He founded Wood Group, chaired it until 2012, and established the Wood Foundation to tackle inequality in Scotland and Africa. Tributes praise his enterprise, philanthropy and impact on Aberdeen’s economy.
Two men were kayaking near Boulmer, Northumberland, when their craft overturned on 7 July. One man was rescued; the other, Michael Henry, has been located off Blyth and identified. A coroner’s report is expected.
The new Prime Minister has indicated a pragmatic approach to North Sea oil, with discussions in the US about potential licensing changes. Labour’s manifesto bounds remain a factor, as consultations on Jackdaw and Rosebank proceed while officials weigh existing licences.
Record crossings by mega-dinghies have surged across the English Channel, with boats carrying hundreds of migrants. Authorities are reinforcing enforcement and international cooperation as numbers fall overall but risks rise for those onboard.
BP has announced it is marketing its North Sea business for sale as part of a portfolio simplification. The unit comprises five hubs and about 1,100 staff. The move follows political and policy debates on North Sea drilling and energy funding, with potential proceeds around £2 billion. BP is seeking an owner to back the next chapter of a Slimmed-down BP while focusing on higher-value opportunities.
A record summer of heat, drought and wildfires has prompted an emergency Cobra meeting and voluntary retailer suspensions of disposable-barbecue sales. Green groups have written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham urging him to call the crisis 'climate change' and stop new North Sea drilling; Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice has questioned net zero and urged adaptation and celebration of warmer weather.
The BP windfall is driving renewed calls for a windfall tax as profits soar amid Middle East conflict. Campaigners say households face higher bills while governments weigh potential measures to curb corporate gains and accelerate the transition to cleaner energy.
BP has reported a quarterly profit of $5.73bn, more than doubling year-on-year, driven by higher oil prices amid Middle East conflict. The group plans to sell its US renewable natural gas unit Archaea and is considering further asset disposals, including a potential North Sea exit. CEO Meg O’Neill says the company is focusing on assets with the strongest potential to deliver returns.
The new prime minister has unveiled cost-cutting and social policies, aiming to reshape Britain’s economy and welfare. Early polls show a boost in approval, while policy details will unfold at the budget in late October.
Polanski has urged ministers to halt new North Sea oil and gas drilling, citing wildfire threats and calling for a robust prevention plan. Packham warns about public wellbeing data and presses for practical firefighting resources amid rising blazes across the UK.
Miliband has furthered UK-US discussions in Washington, stressing the urgency of reopening the Strait of Hormuz to ease living costs while reaffirming support for Ukraine and calling for humanitarian relief in Gaza; Rubio shares a more measured public account of their talks.
Britain has moved to fund four new Dreadnought-class submarines to enter service by the 2030s, backed by a multi-billion pound package that underscores a drive to reindustrialise Barrow and nearby towns. The plan aims to safeguard jobs, strengthen the domestic supply chain, and sustain nuclear deterrence as defence questions loom over GDP targets.
Unite has expanded a series of heat-related strikes by Arriva North London drivers. With cabs exceeding 40C in heatwaves, drivers call for full air conditioning. TfL warns routes will face disruption while management says improvements are underway.
Diageo has announced a multi-pronged turnaround plan led by Dave Lewis, including capital investment to boost Guinness production, expansion of RTD brands, and aggressive cost cuts. The group expects significant restructuring costs and thousands of job losses as it shifts to a more agile operating model and aims to return to profit growth in the coming years.
Andy Burnham has paused the early release of prisoners while reviewing eligibility, with some killers and grooming offences still eligible. The move follows political pressure and the ongoing strain on prison capacity, and signals further balancing acts ahead as the Sentencing Act comes into effect.
France’s Gravelines nuclear plant is running only one reactor at full capacity after jellyfish clogged cooling systems, forcing three reactors offline and cutting another’s output in half. EDF says safety remains intact and on-site teams are mobilised, while preventive fishing and cleaning efforts continue.
The Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) has shown a reduced deficit of 25.3 billion for 2025/26, with the deficit at -10.9% of GDP. Revenues rose by 6.9% to 98.3 billion, while spending reached 123.6 billion. Projections note North Sea revenue fell, and questions about independence’s long-term fiscal path persist.
Jaguar Land Rover’s revenues have fallen by 9.6% to £6 billion for the quarter to June 30, as production disruptions and a pivot from petrol/diesel to electric models weigh on sales. The group is pushing four new electric models while navigating a fire-related disruption and a wind-down of several Jaguar variants.
A government-wide crackdown on illegal waste dumping is expanding, with new powers to seize assets, higher fines, and regional enforcement to tackle organised waste crime that has blighted communities across England. The effort follows a BBC investigation identifying several supersites and a rising tide of waste crimes.
A guest is feared to have fallen overboard from the Ambassador Ambition during a Solar Eclipse Cruise. Lifeboats, coastguard crews and other responders are conducting a wide search as the vessel, which had been sailing from Lerwick to Dundee, has docked in the Scottish city. Next of kin have been informed and inquiries are ongoing.
A 1,260-pound Atlantic blue marlin has been landed off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in Atlantis Canyon, by charter captain Damon Sacco and client Walter Chapman. Weighing 1,260 pounds and measuring over 11 feet, the fish is believed to be the largest Atlantic blue marlin caught off the U.S. East Coast. The head is being aged at a university lab to determine its age. The catch occurs in a narrow window for blue marlin in the Northeast.
Independent and Ecologist reports show households embracing heat pumps alongside flexible grid policies. Homeowners cite lower bills and better integration with solar and storage, while debates persist about data centres’ diesel backups in the US.
Andy Burnham has addressed MPs in the House of Commons for the first time since becoming prime minister six weeks ago, setting out plans to expand public control of utilities and ease household costs. He has faced immediate questions about how he will fund defence commitments, tackle prison overcrowding and whether No.10 North in Manchester will be more than a symbol.
BP has appointed Ian Tyler as chair on a permanent basis following governance concerns after Albert Manifold’s removal. Meg O’Neill remains chief executive, as the company sells non-core assets and reorganizes to focus on core operations. The move signals a strengthened governance posture amid leadership shake-ups at BP.
Northern Ireland’s political stalemate over a funded budget has driven departments to operate under emergency spending. The government has empowered the NI secretary to enter talks aimed at resolving the budget impasse and broader reforms, as pressure grows over services and cost-of-living.
Researchers have located eight ancient cave sites in south-west Ireland with rock art dating back at least 15,000 years, suggesting a Lost Land Bridge connected Ireland to Britain during the last Ice Age. The team has used AI-driven mapping to identify candidates and plans to protect locations from vandalism.
The London market sees notable shifts as easyJet joins the FTSE 100 after a private equity bid boosts valuations, while easyJet's removal from the index could signal broader capital outflows. Bodycote is taken private by Veritas, and Gamma Communications along with Capricorn face delisting, reflecting a wave of deals that remove firms from London’s public markets.
Andy Burnham has unveiled a long-term plan to recover the economy, restore public confidence and tighten control over essential services. He has pledged to fund defence commitments, cut household bills and reframe public ownership, while signalling a shift toward problem-solving governance.
Scientists aboard the David Packard found Magnapinna sp, the deep-sea bigfin squid, hovering 3,277m below California. The sighting marks a rare confirmation, with prior observations numbering around 70. Researchers describe the creature’s wings, eight arms, and two tentacles.