Rishi Sunak Bans Fracking

Rishi Sunak has reimposed the ban on fracking lifted by Liz Truss, in his first major shift away from her policy agenda. The Independent has the story.

“I stand by the manifesto on that,” the new Prime Minister told MPs in the Commons – referring to the 2019 moratorium on drilling for shale gas.

However, Mr. Sunak hinted he would also bring back the effective ban on onshore wind farms, which is predecessor also planned to remove to boost the U.K.’s energy supplies.

He also failed to commit to raising benefits in line with inflation – rather than much-lower wages – in the ‘budget’ now delayed to 17th November.

The moves came as the prime minister refused to deny that his officials have raised fears about the controversial return of scandal-hit Suella Braverman to the cabinet.

Asked whether he will cooperate fully with the contempt inquiry into whether Boris Johnson lied to parliament over No. 10 parties, Mr Sunak replied: “Of course.”

It was the lifting of the fracking ban that brought down the curtain on Ms Truss’s disastrous premiership – after a Tory revolt amid farcical scenes in the Commons last week.

The former prime minister angered her own MPs, and independent experts, by arguing the soaring price of gas had created an opportunity for the U.K. to exploit its underground reserves.

The claim was dismissed by the head of a government watchdog, who warned it would not ease the U.K.’s energy crisis and could cause “serious” environmental damage.

The 2019 election manifesto promised the moratorium would continue unless scientific evidence had found the risk of earthquakes has been reduced – but a review found it had not.

What more “scientific evidence” of safety do you need when the technique is used in large parts of the U.S. without problem?

Disappointing in the middle of an energy crisis where the pressing need for the U.K. to improve energy security has been laid bare.

Worth reading in full.

Stop Press: In the TalkTV/Sun leadership debate Sunak was asked: “Fracking yes or no?” He replied: “Yes if local communities support it.” What happened?