US President Donald Trump has said he discussed North Sea oil and gas development with Prime Minister Andy Burnham during a telephone call on Friday, 23 October, following the British Government's approval of the Jackdaw gas field.
Speaking to reporters at the White House before travelling to Florida, Trump said the UK was opening up North Sea oil production and praised Burnham's approach. He suggested the policy would bring substantial economic benefits to Britain, although those claims are the president's assessment rather than an independently established forecast.
Downing Street confirmed that the leaders discussed the Energy Secretary's decision to approve Jackdaw and agreed that the project could benefit the UK economy and support British jobs. The official account also said the two welcomed cooperation between British and American companies, particularly in nuclear power.
Jackdaw approval and the outstanding Rosebank decision
The call came two days after ministers approved development of Jackdaw, a North Sea natural gas field. The Government expects the project to increase domestic gas production at peak output. Jackdaw is a gas project, despite Trump's references to North Sea oil.
A separate decision on the larger Rosebank oil and gas field has not yet been announced. Trump's remarks should therefore not be interpreted as confirmation that Rosebank has been approved, or that the Government has authorised a broader programme of new drilling licences.
Burnham has previously said he intends to take a pragmatic approach to North Sea resources while maintaining the Government's stated policy commitments. Supporters of domestic production argue it could strengthen energy security and sustain employment, while environmental campaigners have criticised further fossil-fuel development on climate grounds.
Wider UK-US discussions
According to the official Downing Street account, Burnham also stressed the importance of Ukraine retaining full access to Starlink communications, raised the Falkland Islanders' right to develop natural resources in the context of Argentina's actions, and discussed the Middle East and British support for Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks.
The precise extent of any further North Sea policy changes remains unconfirmed. The immediate verified development is the leaders' discussion and their shared endorsement of the expected benefits of the already approved Jackdaw project.
Source: 10 Downing Street — PM call with President Trump, 23 October 2026.
Source: Reuters — Trump and Burnham discuss North Sea oil, Ukraine and Falklands.