Trump Praises Burnham's North Sea Drilling Plan Hours Before Burnham Becomes UK Prime Minister

Donald Trump on July 19, 2026 praised incoming UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham's plan to issue new North Sea oil and gas drilling licenses, The Telegraph and Press Association reported. The endorsement came hours before Burnham assumed office. The BBC reported Burnham intends to announce the licenses after taking office. Channel 4 News notes most North Sea fields are already privately licensed, limiting how quickly extraction can expand.