Unions at war over North Sea oil as luvvy actors, teachers and firefighters demand Burnham blocks new drilling to save the planet

Hard-Left trade unions are at war over plans for fresh oil drilling in the North Sea today after luvvy actors and firefighters demanded it be blocked to save the planet. 

Performing arts body Equity and the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) are among 10 unions that have united to demand Labour refuse permission to exploit Rosebank.

The group, which also includes Unison and the Public and Commercials Services Union, are demanding Andy Burnham 'do the right thing by the planet, UK communities and workers'.

But such a move would also be likely to spark a major row with unions representing oil and gas workers.

Earlier this year Sharon Graham, the general secretary of Unite, urged ministers to hurry up and allow drilling to go ahead west of Shetland, and a spokesman today confirmed that position has not changed.

Ministers are also under pressure from the Tories to open the largest untapped oil field in the North Sea to help bring down UK energy prices.

A report this week for developers Adura warned that failing to develop both Rosebank, which lies north-west of Shetland, and the Jackdaw gas field to the east of Aberdeen, could cost the UK economy some £10.8billion by 2035.

And Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for the Prime Minister to 'stop faffing about' and approve drilling in the North Sea.

But Unison general secretary Andrea Egan said that the Government 'needs to accept that the more fossil fuels we burn, the more extreme our weather will become'.

She added that public service workers – including those represented by Unison – are 'on the frontline of extreme weather' and as such 'need guarantees that the Government is serious about tackling climate change'.

Ms Egan was clear: 'The Prime Minister must act in the best interests of the country and reject Rosebank.'

Ed Harlow, the president of the National Education Union – another of the trade unions making the plea – meanwhile called on the Prime Minister to 'listen to public sector workers who experienced what it's like to try and teach children, care for the sick and elderly, and keep this country moving in extreme heat'.

He insisted: 'There is nothing 'pragmatic' in knowingly making these conditions worse, just so a handful of oil and gas firms can keep profiting.

'Approving Rosebank, after the summer we've had, would be outright arson.'

And Lee Hunter, North West regional chairman of the FBU, insisted the UK is 'not prepared for the extremes we're seeing'.

Mr Hunter stated: 'Whether it's record wildfires this summer, or the increase in flooding we're dealing with in winters, firefighters are on the frontline. This is the new normal, and we're stretched to our limits.

'That's why our union is saying no to Rosebank. It will just pour more fuel on the fire, making an already difficult job impossible.'

But Unite continues to back Rosebank. In March Ms Graham: 'We all know that whatever happens the UK will still need for oil and gas for decades to come and the war in Iran is just the latest reminder that when we rely on overseas production our energy security is at the mercy of global events.

'This government must not let go of one rope before having hold of another.'

A spokesman for the UK Government's Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, however, said: 'The North Sea remains a vital national asset and oil and gas will continue to play an important role in our energy system for decades to come – alongside transitioning to clean power to protect jobs and tackle the climate crisis.

'Any decision will take into account all relevant evidence, including environmental assessments and public representations received during the consultation process.'