Liz Truss ends ban on fracking to stop the UK on being dependent on gas imports which could start ‘as soon as six months’

The Prime Minister has announced on Thursday that she will life the ban on fracking to prevent the UK being dependent on overseas gas.

Fracking could now start within six months for onshore shale gas extraction and in the North Sea an extra 100 licences for oil and gas wells has been granted by the government.

Liz Truss confirmed that we have “huge reserves of shale which could get gas flowing as soon as six months.”

She added that fracking will only take place “where there is support for it.”

Simon Clarke the Levelling up Secretary said it is now necessary to look at all domestic sources of energy which includes fracking as a result of the Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine.

Clarke said, “We have to look at all forms of energy extraction.

“If we want energy self sufficiency, we have to look at every source including clearly new nuclear, more renewables….But we also ought to look at technologies like fracking.”

Truss also said that the UK will invest in nuclear power, saying, “We will launch ‘Great British nuclear’ later this month, putting us on a path to deliver up to a quarter of our electricity generation with nuclear by 2050.”

She added, “This is part of my vision for rebuilding our economy – secure energy supply is vital to growth and prosperity, yet it has been ignored for too long.

“I will end the UK’s short-termist approach to energy security and supply once and for all.

“That is what I promised on the steps of Downing Street, today we’re acting decisively on that pledge.

“This will help us build a stronger, more resilient and more secure United Kingdom.”