Protesters descend on Department of Energy after Labour's Jackdaw approval

Protesters from Fossil Free London have descended on the Department of Energy after the Labour Government confirmed the approval of the Jackdaw gas field.

Gathering outside the headquarters in central London, demonstrators urged the Prime Minister to "stop Jackdaw" and "stop Rosebank", another oil and gas field under consideration.

Protesters could be heard chanting: "Hey Andy, stop gas and oil. Keep that carbon in the soil."

The site, off the coast of Aberdeen, is one of two North Sea projects - alongside the Rosebank oil field - that have hung over Labour after the previous Tory Government was halted due to a legal challenge.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he "welcomes" the approval, which will protect "hundreds of jobs" and keep "millions of homes warm this winter".

He said: "At a time when people are really struggling, it’s right that we look in a responsible way at maximising the existing energy reserves we have in Britain that could help.

"We’re committed to moving towards renewable energy and reaching net zero by 2050. But even on our ambitious climate path, we’ll still require oil and gas as part of our energy needs for decades to come."

Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh has confirmed that the approved Jackdaw gas field will begin to supply Britons as soon as 'this winter'.

She said in a statement: "Following careful consideration of all relevant factors I have agreed that the regulator can grant consent for gas to be produced at Jackdaw, which will begin to supply the UK with gas from this winter thanks to the highly skilled and vital North Sea workers."

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