Ministers have approved plans to begin drilling in the Jackdaw gasfield in the North Sea after months of speculation over the decision.

Energy secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh gave approval for the project on Wednesday, in a move she said will “support the country’s energy security with homegrown gas this winter”.

Prime minister Andy Burnham added the decision will “protect hundreds of jobs and help keep millions of homes warm”, but stressed it would not hinder the government’s targets on renewable energy.

However, the government is facing backlash from environmental campaigners, who have called the decision “deeply disappointing” and warned it would result in “supercharging the climate chaos hitting families here and abroad”.

The decision ends months of speculation about the future of the project , which owner Adura said could deliver around 6 per cent of UK North Sea gas production .

Fresh public consultations on the proposals took place this year and closed in August, and the government gave the green…