Tom Greatrex MP, Labour’s Shadow Energy Minister, commenting on the Government’s announcement of an onshore licensing round, said:

“With 80% of our heating coming from gas and declining North Sea reserves, shale and other unconventional gas may have the potential to form a part of our future energy mix. "There are legitimate environmental concerns that must be addressed before extraction is permitted. Robust regulation and comprehensive monitoring are vital to ensure the public acceptability test is met. David Cameron’s Government must take these issues seriously rather than drawing simplistic and irresponsible comparisons with the USA.”