New Prime Minister Rishi Sunderak has restored the moratorium on fracking within England.
Downing Street confirmed that Mr Sunak was committed to the England ban on fracking set out in his 2019 manifesto.
Liz Truss, his predecessor, lifted the ban and said that fracking could be done where there is local consent.
This triggered a backlash from many Conservative MPs due to concerns about earth tremors related to fracking.
After opposition from local communities and environmental groups, the controversial drilling process to extract gas from shale rocks was stopped in 2019.
Labour and other opposition parties also oppose the return to fracking.
Caroline Lucas, Green MP, asked if the new PM would reinstate the moratorium against fracking that was pledged in the Conservatives 2019 manifesto.
He responded, “I have already stated that I stand by the manifesto.”
According to the Tories’ manifesto for a general election, fracking would be opposed unless science proves that it can be safely done.
Later, the official spokesperson for the PM confirmed that Mr Sunak had kept his promise.
Sunak previously supported fracking. He voted against a Labour motion that would have banned the practice a week earlier.
When Ms Truss asked him if he supported fracking during the Tory leadership debate in July, he responded: “Yes, if it is supported by local communities.”
Ed Miliband, Labour’s shadow climate secretary and net zero secretaries, stated: “Regardless of their latest position or the truth that they have shown that they can not be trusted when it comes to fracking. A Labour government is the only way to ensure that fracking is banned forever.
Environmental groups welcomed the move, with Friends of the Earth campaigner Danny Gross calling it a “fantastic win for common sense”.
Sam Hall, Director of the Conservative Environment Network said that “Fracking” is not popular and that few communities would approve local fracking projects. This means little to no gas would be extracted despite the high political costs.
“The government should instead focus on building more affordable and popular renewables such as onshore wind and solar, where there is support.”
Ms Truss made public her decision to lift September’s moratorium. She argued that fracking could increase the UK’s gas supply, despite rising energy costs. However, some Conservative MPs opposed the move.
There were allegations that Tory MPs were bullied and mistreated in the evening before she resigned. This was during a Labour-sponsored vote on fracking.
Ministers deny that physical force was used to persuade their colleagues to vote for the government.
With a majority vote of 96 in the government’s favour, the government won. However, 40 Tories were not allowed to vote.
Ms Truss was also thrown off her feet by the chaos of the vote, 44 days after she assumed office.
The Welsh and Scottish governments remain opposed to fracking and have stated that they will not grant drilling licenses under their authority.
Fracking consent has only been granted in the past for two locations in Lancashire. Neither of these sites is currently in operation.
