Burnham and Badenoch Clash Over Rosebank and Long-Term Spending at PMQs
Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch faced off in the House of Commons during Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs), marking their first parliamentary showdown since the recent Budget. The exchanges centered heavily on the stalled approval of the Rosebank oil field and the government's broader economic strategy.
During the session, Badenoch pressed the prime minister on why the North Sea oil and gas project has not yet been greenlit, arguing that the delay stems from political choice rather than administrative hurdles. Burnham maintained that the decision regarding Rosebank is quasi-legal and would be addressed "in due course," while defending his administration's energy record, which includes the recent approval of the Jackdaw gas field and new offshore wind investments.
The Conservative leader also accused the government of being "adrift," criticizing what she termed a "do-nothing Budget" and demanding to know when the forthcoming Spending Review will take place. Burnham hit back by describing his fiscal package as the most popular in years and pledged to unveil his 10-year "plan for Britain" before the Christmas break, though he did not commit to a specific date for the Spending Review.
Beyond the clash over energy and spending, the Commons session touched on other legislative and policy matters. Burnham expressed support for a private member's bill seeking to update census categories to include English identity options alongside existing ethnic breakdowns. Additionally, the prime minister noted that the government is exploring stricter regulations on illegal e-bikes following rising concerns from police forces nationwide.
