Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed plans to accelerate North Sea oil and gas production via tie-backs to soften the blow of the Iran war on energy bills, risking a major internal Labour clash with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.
Reeves: “Pretty Intensely” Working on Tie-Backs
Speaking at IMF meetings in Washington, Ms Reeves said the Government is looking at ways to “exploit” Britain’s oil and gas resources more quickly. She highlighted tie-backs — connecting new fields to existing infrastructure — as the fastest way to bring more supply on-stream. An announcement is expected soon.
Jackdaw and Rosebank Still in Limbo
Ms Reeves previously said she was “very happy” to back both the Jackdaw and Rosebank fields. Ed Miliband is still weighing up their approval, having previously called Rosebank “climate vandalism”.
Reform UK: Reeves Adopting Reform Policies
Reform UK energy spokesman Richard Tice said: “Reeves and Miliband are increasingly at loggerheads. The Chancellor is backing policies championed by the Reform Party, and Miliband is channelling the Greens. But consumers will not care about internal party battles. They just want a fair price put on energy.”
Claire Coutinho: “Self-Loathing Madness”
Shadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho accused Labour of “self-loathing madness that is killing jobs and tax revenues in Britain” by approving drilling 8,000 miles away in the Falklands while stalling North Sea projects.
- Rachel Reeves accelerating tie-backs to boost North Sea output
- Direct response to energy price spike from Iran war
- Potential clash with Ed Miliband over Jackdaw and Rosebank
- Labour pledged no new exploratory licences before election
- 70% of UK energy demand still met by oil and gas
Reform UK: End the War on North Sea Oil
Reform UK has long demanded an immediate end to the war on North Sea oil and gas. The party says Britain must drill its own resources to protect jobs, cut bills and deliver energy security — rather than relying on imports while blocking domestic production.
What This Means for Britain
The emerging rift between Rachel Reeves and Ed Miliband highlights Labour’s deep contradictions on energy. While the Chancellor now sees the need for more North Sea supply to shield families from Iran war price shocks, the Energy Secretary’s Net Zero ideology continues to hold back vital British projects.
With energy prices among the highest in Europe and households already struggling, voters are asking why Britain is not making full use of its own resources. Reform UK’s message is clear: drill here, produce here, put British energy independence and British workers first.
Share if you believe Britain must drill its own oil and gas instead of blocking the North Sea.
This article is a factual summary of reporting by GB News. Full original story available on their website. All quotes directly attributed.
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I never thought i would say this Reeves actually on the side of the UK public trying to reduce energy bills WOW yeah right opening north sea oil fields going up against Milliband how will that turn out? Milliband is a absolute nut case or is she doing it for her own selfish reasons? that is my guess is it another way to screw even more money out of the UK public?