Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
(): As the Prime Minister set
out when entering office, and in the House yesterday, the
Government supports the core ambitions set out in the 2019
manifesto. The Government will therefore revert to a
precautionary approach and only support shale gas exploration if
it can be done in a way that is sustainable and protects local
communities. We 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.
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 we ruled out changes to the planning system.
As set out in the manifesto, we will not support shale 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.
The Government is confirming today that we will again take a
presumption against issuing any further hydraulic fracturing
consents. This position, an effective moratorium, will be
maintained until compelling new evidence is provided which
addresses the concerns around the prediction and management of
induced seismicity. This is in line with the commitment made in
the 2019 Conservative Manifesto
While future applications for hydraulic fracturing consent will
be considered on their own merits by the Secretary of State, in
accordance with the law, shale gas developers should take the
Government’s position into account when considering new
developments.
