Burnham defends Jackdaw approval as Badenoch urges PM to lift oil and gas ban

UK government approved production from the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea, with first gas expected by month's end to heat 1.4 million homes. Energy Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh announced a new £2 billion energy wealth fund. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Prime Minister Keir Starmer of dithering and called for repeal of the ban on new oil and gas licences, while Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham defended the decision, saying the Conservatives had messed up the original judgment.