Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they continue to plan to ban onshore fracking in the UK.

The Energy Independence Bill was included in the Kings’ Speech on 13 May.

The Bill will contain measures which will deliver our manifesto commitment not to issue new licences to explore new fields, including new licences that could be used for fracking for shale gas in England.

There is an effective moratorium on fracking for shale gas (“associated hydraulic fracturing” as defined by the Petroleum Act 1998) in England, which will continue to apply to existing licences. Similar restrictions are in place across other parts of the UK.