Fracking ban to be lifted as part of Liz Truss’s energy plan

The UK’s ban on fracking is set to be lifted as part of Liz Truss’s plan to tackle the cost of living crisis.

Addressing the commons today, the newly elected prime minister confirmed she will be reversing the moratorium on fracking with the promise of more North Sea drilling. 

Truss says this will enable developers to seek planning permission for fracking and get gas flowing in as soon as six months.

Truss said she was ‘setting a new ambition for our country’, adding: “Far from being dependent on the global energy market and the actions of malign actors, we will make sure that the UK is a net energy exporter by 2040.”

Fracking, which recovers gas and oil from shale rock by drilling into the earth, was banned in the UK in 2019 after research raised concerns over the risk of earthquakes.

Fracking can also lead to the contamination of groundwater, and has been found to have an adverse impact on climate change.

Truss previously said fracking should only take place where there is support from local communities.

She also said fracking companies would offer a 25% reduction to their energy bills in order to secure support and incentivise the people.