AFTER six decades of operation, BP has made the historic move to sell its oil and gas business in the UK – giving up all production assets in its home country. The decision comes amid political division in the UK over North Sea drilling, with energy companies making a case for domestic security in the face of environmental concerns. The new Prime Minister Andy Burnham is seen to be more favourable toward further drilling, taking a more “pragmatic approach” to energy policy. The company also announced that it would cut 700 “non-frontline jobs”, according to an internal email, reports the FT. The email indicated that the decision was down to a “potential oversupply and lower oil and gas prices”, bringing the company’s competitiveness down.