The musicians argued that further development of the oil field north west of Shetland would undermine the UK’s climate commitments and the sustainability of the cultural sector
Stars including Paloma Faith, Lola Young and The Cure’s Robert Smith have warned Keir Starmer to reject future drilling at Rosebank in the North Sea.
In a letter addressed to the PM and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, the musicians argued that further development of the oil field north west of Shetland would undermine the UK’s climate commitments and the sustainability of the cultural sector. The letter urges the Government to follow the science and states “any new application to exploit Rosebank’s reserves must be refused”.
Ministers published new guidance last month on how the environmental impacts of oil and gas are included in assessments. As a result, offshore developers can now submit applications for consent to extract fossil fuels in oil and gas fields that are already licensed, which includes Rosebank and the Jackdaw gas field off Aberdeen. It comes after Chancellor Rachel Reeves dismissed Donald Trump’s ‘con job’ wind turbine claim.
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This came after the Supreme Court ruled that emissions created by burning fossil fuels should be considered when granting planning permission for new drilling sites, in a case that focused on an oil well in Surrey but reverberated through the energy sector. The open letter, co-ordinated by Earth Percent and backed by the Stop Rosebank campaign, is also signed by artists including Ed O’Brien and Philip Selway of Radiohead, rock band Enter Shikari, Imogen Heap, and Olly Alexander of Years & Years.
They warn that the expansion of operations at Rosebank will accelerate the climate crisis, deliver no meaningful benefit to the UK public, and burden future generations. Producer Brian Eno, who co-founded Earth Percent, said: “As musicians and artists our creativity is deeply connected to the state of the world around us.
“Fossil fuels are not only unsustainable – they are actively destructive. The evidence is clear: burning them accelerates the climate crisis, endangers our futures, and undermines the UK’s credibility as a climate leader. We have the tools and the knowledge to make the transition. The Prime Minister must listen – reject Rosebank, and stop approving new oil and gas developments.”
A Department for Energy Security & Net Zero spokesperson said: “Our priority is to deliver a fair, orderly and prosperous transition in the North Sea in line with our climate and legal obligations, which drives our clean energy future of energy security, lower bills, and good, long-term jobs.”
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