# Mr Net Zero to have final say on Falklands oil drilling > Net Zero leader Ed Miliband decides Falklands oil drilling fate amid Argentina's legal threats. - Title: Mr Net Zero to have final say on Falklands oil drilling - Summary: Net Zero leader Ed Miliband decides Falklands oil drilling fate amid Argentina's legal threats. UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband will decide whether to… - Keywords: falklands, net zero, ed miliband, argentina, oil drilling, uk foreign secretary, falklands oil, uk foreign office, uk government, labor party, tories, north sea drilling - Source: Dailymail — https://dailymail.com/news/article-16140463/Mr-Net-Zero-final-say-drilling-oil-Falklands.html?ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490&ns_mchannel=rss - Published: 2026-09-17T21:11:03+00:00 - Read time: 3 min - Topics: falklands, net zero, ed miliband, argentina, oil drilling, uk foreign secretary, falklands oil, uk foreign office, uk government, labor party, tories, north sea drilling ## Net Zero champion Ed Miliband Ed Miliband, the Net Zero champion who moved from energy secretary to Foreign Secretary under Andy Burnham, will make the final decision over the future of Falklands oil exploration. ## Falklands oil exploration deadline The December 31 deadline covers licences for the next £2.25billion phase of the already-approved Sea Lion development as well as a new project named Darwin. ## Argentine legal threat Argentina claimed they would file legal complaints against companies exploring for oil near the Falklands, which it lays claim to. ## President Javier Milei's sanctions push Argentina's move is part of a push by President Javier Milei to toughen sanctions against firms operating in the British territory. ## Tory criticism of Miliband The Tories called on Mr Miliband to confirm he will approve the Falklands sites after they accused him of doing 'all he can' to end North Sea drilling. > all he can ## Foreign Office minister's stance Foreign Office minister Kirsty McNeill said this month that 'the decision by the Falkland Islands government to pursue hydrocarbon production is a commercial decision for them to take alongside the commercial companies involved'. > the decision by the Falkland Islands government to pursue hydrocarbon production is a commercial decision for them to take alongside the commercial companies involved ## Labour's North Sea drilling decision Mr Burnham's Government is due to decide whether to approve drilling in the Rosebank and Jackdaw sites in the North Sea. ## Jackdaw site delay Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh had been expected to grant permission for the Jackdaw site this month but this has been delayed. ## By-election delay reason The Tories have speculated this is due to Labour having to fight a by-election in Sir Keir Starmer's seat against the anti-drilling Green Party. ## UK support for Falklands The UK supports the rights of the Falklanders to develop their natural resources for their own economic benefit because this is an absolutely integral part of their self-determination. ## Labour's green jobs pledge backtracking Labour has backtracked on its pledge to create 1,000 jobs in Aberdeen in green energy with energy minister Martin McCluskey claiming Sir Keir Starmer's pledge was 'never meant to be direct employees'. > never meant to be direct employees ## Actual green jobs count Just 53 workers have got permanent jobs. ## Falklands law on licence conditions Under Falklands law, licence conditions can be changed only with approval of the UK Foreign Secretary and no licence can be granted without his consent. ## Conservative energy spokesman Conservative energy spokesman Andrew Bowie said: 'Out of all the desks in the Government where the future of Falklands oil could have landed, fate has picked the one belonging to the man who has done all he can to end North Sea production. With Buenos Aires threatening sanctions and every licence outside Sea Lion running out on New Year's Eve, Labour cannot be allowed to let this slide by the wayside.' > Out of all the desks in the Government where the future of Falklands oil could have landed, fate has picked the one belonging to the man who has done all he can to end North Sea production. With Buenos Aires threatening sanctions and every licence outside Sea Lion running out on New Year's Eve, Labour cannot be allowed to let this slide by the wayside. ## Falklands oil exploration status The Net Zero champion, who moved from energy secretary to Foreign Secretary under Andy Burnham, is responsible for granting and renewing licences. ## Miliband's oil exploration oversight But he oversaw a ban on new exploration of oil and gas fields in Scotland. ## Key takeaway UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband will decide whether to approve oil drilling in the Falklands after Argentina threatened legal action over exploration.