Dear Constituent,
Thank you for contacting me about fracking.
First, I would like to make clear that our new Prime Minister supports the core ambitions of the 2019 manifesto on which this Government was elected. The Government will therefore revert to a precautionary approach regarding shale gas exploration in England.
In the November 2019 manifesto, the Government confirmed a moratorium on shale gas exploration in England with immediate effect. Having listened to local communities and assessed the state of the science, Ministers ruled out changes to the planning system. As set out in the manifesto, the Government will not support shale gas extraction unless the science shows categorically that it can be done safely.
In line with the British Geological Survey report on the scientific advances in hydraulic fracturing since 2019, forecasting the occurrence of large earthquakes and their expected magnitude owing to shale gas extraction remains a challenge with significant uncertainty.
Fracking will only be supported if it can be carried out in a way that is sustainable and protects local communities. This will be led by the evidence on whether this form of exploration can be done in a way which acceptably manages the risk to local communities.
Upon entering office, the new Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, instigated a review of the Government’s plan on fracking. As a result of this, the decision to lift the ban on fracking has been reversed.
On 19 October, then Prime Minister Liz Truss and the then business secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg announced the Government was lifting the ban on hydraulic fracturing but would have allowed local communities to decide if they wanted it to take place in their communities.
On 26 October, the now Prime Minister announced that the Government after careful consideration had decided not to press ahead with overturning the ban. Rishi Sunak made clear he was honouring the Conservative Party’s 2019 manifesto pledge not to allow the practice, which involves pumping water and chemicals into the ground to release gas trapped in rocks, “unless the science shows categorically that it can be done safely".
The Government supports the core ambitions set out in the 2019 manifesto and will therefore revert to a precautionary approach, only supporting shale gas exploration if it can be done in a way that is sustainable and protects local communities.
The Government has confirmed that it will adopt a presumption against issuing further hydraulic fracturing consents. It will be led by the evidence on whether this form of exploration can be done in a way which acceptably manages the risk to local communities. The Government is taking other measures to build energy security and affordability. The UK remains committed to net zero by 2050. The UK is a leader on climate issues and is driving down demand for fossil fuels on the path to net zero.
Further, Ministers are taking a presumption against issuing any further hydraulic fracturing consents. This position will be maintained until compelling new evidence is provided which addresses the concerns around the prediction and management of induced seismicity.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Sincerely,
