Donald Trump says PM Andy Burnham told him he will ‘open up North Sea oil’

Speaking in the White House, the US president said if the Prime Minister followed through on his commitment the UK was “going to be a wealthy country”.

Mr Trump also again warned that immigration is “killing” Britain, with “people coming from all over the world and just camping out”.

Following the phone call between the two leaders on Mr Burnham’s first day in office, Downing Street would not be drawn on any potential future plans for North Sea drilling after Mr Trump talked up a change in policy under Mr Burnham.

The US president, a vocal supporter of fossil fuels, has long championed the move as he has railed against “windmills”.

Mr Trump had lost a legal battle with the Scottish government to stop a wind turbine development visible from his Aberdeenshire golf course.

Labour’s 2024 manifesto said the party would not issue new North Sea licences.

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Ed Miliband, who held the energy and net zero brief under Sir Keir Starmer and had been a strong supporter of the election pledge, has now taken up the Foreign Secretary role.

Referring to his conversation with Mr Burnham, Mr Trump said: “Well, he did say one very good thing.

“He said he’s going to open up North Sea oil.

“If he does that, you’re going to be a wealthy country.”

The president added: “They have two problems. They have a huge immigration problem – people coming from all over the world and just camping out in your country.

“He’s got that problem, and he’s got an energy problem.

“He’s got windmills all over the place, and any time you see windmills, you see a failing country.

“They’re made in China, not used by China, but they’re made in China.”

He went on: “You have one of the most valuable oil finds anywhere in the world, and if the United Kingdom would use it, they’d be a wealthy country again. And I tell you what, I could not get Starmer to use it. It was incredible.”

Mr Trump said: “You have your own oil and gas. If you use the North Sea, the UK will be a really rich country. I cannot get the point across.

“The new gentleman, when I spoke to him, he said he’s going to open up the North Sea. Let’s see if that happens.”

The president also argued Mr Burnham would have to tackle the issue of immigration.

Mr Trump said: “He’s going to have to mention it because it’s killing your country.

“I know Starmer did very little about it, and they’re coming from all over the world.

“They’re coming from Africa, they’re coming from South America, they’re coming from different parts of Asia, and they’re invading Europe.”

He indicated the UK was a “prime” destination.

Mr Trump’s comments on oil and gas come after Mr Burnham was pressed to approve new North Sea drilling urgently, as concerns were raised about his newly appointed Energy Secretary.

OEUK, the offshore trade body, said the “damaging” ban on exploration had left the UK trailing behind Norway.

The Scottish Conservatives last week wrote to Miatta Fahnbulleh, the new Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, to express “deep concerns” over her past comments.

She previously advocated a goal of net-zero carbon emissions within “10 to 15 years”, with the Tories accusing her of showing “hostility towards oil and gas”.

Allies have said Mr Burnham will take a more "pragmatic" approach to the North Sea sector while sticking to Labour’s 2024 manifesto, in which it said it would not issue new licences.

READ MORE: Andy Burnham 'will take more pragmatic approach' to North Sea oil and gas

This could include approving the controversial Rosebank and Jackdaw fields, which were previously given the go-ahead by the Conservatives before they had to be reconsidered following a successful legal challenge by climate campaigners.

OEUK has also urged the new Prime Minister to immediately replace the energy profits levy, or windfall tax.

“The UK energy industry urgently needs regulatory approval for projects such as Jackdaw and Rosebank, alongside a pipeline of other domestic oil and gas developments, and a continuing government commitment to the development of renewables,” it said.

“Failing to exploit our own oil and gas does not alter UK oil and gas consumption. It just means we depend increasingly on imports.”

It added: “The damaging ban on exploration leaves the UK trailing behind Norway instead of partnering with it to underpin European energy security. This ban must be reversed.”

OEUK argued reforming the regulatory and tax framework for the North Sea industry could unlock an additional £50 billion in oil and gas investment.