<p>Government decision is about how much oil and gas is sensible for UK to produce on the way to net zero</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2026/oct/21/uk-inflation-jump-rising-motor-fuels-cost-jackdaw-gas-field-latest-news-updates">Business live – latest updates</a></p></li></ul><p>Andy Burnham hit the nail on the (well)head in his first fortnight as prime minister when <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jul/31/andy-burnham-risks-labour-revolt-north-sea-drilling-rosebank-jackdaw-climate">he said</a>: “The question isn’t whether Britain will still be using oil and gas, the question is where does it come from.”</p><p>It was a nod towards several awkward energy facts. First, oil and gas provided 75% of the UK’s energy in 2025, <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6aba9601a9c3d267bccceff7/DUKES_2026_Chapters_1-7.pdf">government data</a> shows. Second, even with the rollout of domestic renewables for generating electricity, about 43% of overall energy was imported last year.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/nils-pratley-on-finance/2026/oct/21/jackdaw-approval-step-towards-grownup-north-sea-policy">Continue reading...</a>