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Artists urge PM to reject North Sea drilling
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The gist
More than 200 artists including Massive Attack and Brian Eno signed an open letter urging PM Andy Burnham to reject the Rosebank oilfield. The letter warns the project won't lower.
Background
The UK government is considering approving new North Sea oil and gas fields, including Rosebank, the largest untapped field. Artists and climate scientists argue that approving these projects contradicts the UK's climate commitments and will not benefit consumers, as most oil is for export. The public consultation on Rosebank closed on Monday, and the decision is seen as a test of the government's climate stance.
How it unfolded
- Wed, 12 Aug 2026Over 50 climate scientists wrote to minister Miatta Fahnbulleh, urging rejection of Jackdaw and Rosebank drilling.
- Sat, 15 Aug 2026Campaigners, including SCCS, urged PM to stick to Labour manifesto and reject Jackdaw and Rosebank, ahead of consultation closing.
- Mon, 17 Aug 2026More than 200 artists, including Brian Eno, Massive Attack, and Thom Yorke, signed an open letter urging PM to reject Rosebank.
Who’s saying what
- Artists
- The climate crisis is shaping lives today; approving Rosebank would fail to lower energy bills or provide security as most oil is exported.
- Government
- The North Sea remains a vital national asset, supporting jobs and energy security, and oil and gas will play a role for decades.
- Scientists
- Evidence does not support approval of drilling at Jackdaw and Rosebank, and UK credibility on climate would be undermined.