Ministers blocking Rosebank oil field will help Putin's Russia, Tories warn - as Labour MP says Jackdaw approval a 'drop in the ocean' by comparison

Labour has been warned failure to green-light major new oil extraction in the North Sea would benefit Vladimir Putin's Russia.

Andy Burnham's government is facing increasing pressure to approve the Rosebank development after yesterday approving drilling for gas in the Jackdaw field.

Gas will start flowing within weeks after Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh backed the scheme as the government tries to secure UK energy reserves.

However, she has indicated that there is no similar case for approving Rosebank, the largest untapped oil field in the North Sea, telling The Guardian: 'One is a gasfield that caters for the domestic market, while the other is an oilfield that is mainly for export.'

However, that prompted a furious response from the Conservatives, who accused her of shortsightedness.

Shadow energy secretary Andrew Bowie said: 'Every barrel of oil the UK exports to Europe is one less barrel they would buy from Russia ... approve Rosebank now.'

Writing in the Mail today he said: 'If Labour have genuinely had a volte-face and decided to recognise the economic and strategic importance of domestic oil and gas production, then surely now is time to give Rosebank the green light and bring an end to the uncertainty surrounding its future. 

'Because this is not simply about one development. It is about the message Britain sends to an industry that needs long-term confidence to invest, recruit and plan for the future.'

It came as a Labour backbench opponent of both schemes admitted that Jackdaw was 'a drop in the ocean' compared to Rosebank in the eyes of environmentalists.

Clive Lewis told ITV's Peston: 'The question now for people like me is (whether) this is levelling the pitch to say ''we are a pragmatic government, however we are not going to go with Rosebank because Rosebank is of a different order of magnitude to Jackdaw''. And that is possible. 

'Or it could be they are rolling the pitch to see how they build up to then announce Rosebank.'

A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesman said it was 'speculation' that Rosebank would be blocked.

'As the Energy Secretary has said, each project will be assessed on its own merits,' the spokesman added.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch called for Labour to repeal its ban on all new oil and gas licences.

'We have the resources, the expertise and the people,' she said.

'What we have lost is the confidence to make tough decisions.'

US President Donald Trump, who has called for more drilling, said the UK should now go 'full blast' in exploiting North Sea resources.

Responding to the news, Mr Trump said: 'Great news for the wealth and prosperity of the United Kingdom, and the wonderful region of Aberdeen.

'The UK has started drilling in the North Sea, one of the greatest and most prosperous areas of OIL in the World.

'They should go FULL BLAST!!! This will make the UK very wealthy again. TAKE DOWN THE COSTLY AND RIDICULOUS WINDMILLS!'