Andy Burnham latest: New Labour leader plans policy blitz – including revived oil and gas drilling in North Sea

In The Room | Inside Andy Burnham’s No 10 takeoverNew Labour leader Andy Burnham plans a policy blitz once he becomes prime minister on Monday – including new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.Labour’s 2024 manifesto, which the new leader has said he would follow – pledged to not issue new licences but to honour existing ones.The fate of two oil fields in Scotland - Rosebank and Jackdaw - which regulators approved in 2022 and 2023 under the then Conservative government, but were overturned in 2025 after a legal challenge, have become a controversial topic within Labour.

Some MPs calling for more drilling to help keep energy bills down, while others have insisted increasing renewable energy is the way to improve energy security. The BBC reported that an announcement could be made as soon as Monday.It is believed the announcement will form part of a glut of new policy measures, including plans to take public control of water and energy companies and fresh council house-building programme.

As he was crowned the leader of the Labour Party on Friday, Mr Burnham declared that he was “ready to lead” the country and promised to “answer the calls” of the public.RecommendedAndy Burnham tells Labour: I’m your last chanceWhat some are already getting very wrong about Shabana MahmoodWhatever happened to Andy Burnham, literary PM?In pictures: Andy Burnham embraces his wife after being confirmed as the new leader(PA)(PA)Bryony Gooch18 July 2026 09:00Burnham's oil and gas field announcement New Labour leader Andy Burnham plans a policy blitz once he becomes prime minister on Monday – including new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.

Labour’s 2024 manifesto, which the new leader has said he would follow – pledged to not issue new licences but to honour existing ones.The fate of two oil fields in Scotland - Rosebank and Jackdaw - which regulators approved in 2022 and 2023 under the then Conservative government, but were overturned in 2025 after a legal challenge, have become a controversial topic within Labour. Some MPs calling for more drilling to help keep energy bills down, while others have insisted increasing renewable energy is the way to improve energy security.

The BBC reported that an announcement could be made as soon as Monday.It is believed the announcement will form part of a glut of new policy measures, including plans to take public control of water and energy companies and fresh council house-building programme.Chris Stevenson18 July 2026 08:47Recap: Removal van seen on Downing Street minutes after Burnham crowned new Labour leaderRemoval van seen on Downing Street minutes after Burnham crowned new Labour leaderBryony Gooch18 July 2026 08:20Farage demands general election as he insists Burnham has no mandateNigel Farage has demanded an immediate general election as he claimed Andy Burnham had no mandate to run the country.

The Reform UK leader said his party could produce a “historic upset” but Mr Farage claimed that if he failed to enter No 10 Britain risks “turning into a third world country” within 10 years.He said that “nothing will get better under Andy Burnham”, and “he says he wants to have the biggest change of direction in politics in 40 years, outside of 25,000 voters in Makerfield he has literally no mandate for this at all”.Bryony Gooch18 July 2026 08:00Farage to face a record 33 rival candidates in by-electionNigel Farage will face a record 33 rival candidates in the by-election he triggered in protest at media and parliamentary scrutiny of his finances and backers.

The main Westminster parties are boycotting the Clacton by-election, dismissing it as a stunt by the Reform UK leader, leaving joke candidate Count Binface and actor-turned-politician Laurence Fox as his highest-profile opponents.Mr Farage wanted the contest to be a “people versus the establishment” showdown but he is now facing opponents including three from the Official Monster Raving Loony Party and an array of independents.Tendring District Council said a total of 34 candidates are standing in the August 13 by-election, which is believed to be a record for a parliamentary contest.

Bryony Gooch18 July 2026 07:40Burnhan preparing to become prime minister this weekend before 'dynamic startAndy Burnham will spend the weekend preparing to become prime minister with allies saying he intends to make a “dynamic start” with measures to ease the cost-of-living squeeze.He said he is still “finalising” his cabinet after feverish speculation in Westminster over his choice of chancellor, with allies on Labour’s left favouring Ed Miliband but reports suggesting home secretary Shabana Mahmood will get the crucial role.Mr Burnham said there had been “too much” speculation and he would announce his ministerial team on Monday.

“I am finalising those decisions, and I will come to conclusions very shortly, and then I will announce those on Monday,” he said.Newly confirmed Labour Party leader Andy Burnham with supporters (Gareth Fuller/PA) (PA Wire)Br