Brighton MP Caroline Lucas receives pledge from PM over fracking

The Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion called on him to reverse former PM Liz Truss's decision to reintroduce fracking which Ms Lucas said has “categorically not been shown to be safe”

She raised the issue at Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons yesterday.

Mr Sunak said he would stand by the Conservatives’ manifesto.

Ms Lucas said: “I'm delighted that the new Prime Minister has just committed to maintain the moratorium on climate-wrecking fracking.  

Rishi Sunak during PMQs (Image: PA)

 “Fracking has long been deeply unpopular, not only with the Tory Party itself, but with the public too. It wouldn’t reduce household bills, as the gas would get sold on international markets and since global emissions would still increase, the planet has always been firmly against it too. 

 “Jacob Rees-Mogg's dangerous, destructive and deeply unpopular plan to frack the nation is dead in the water – now we must ensure government sticks to its promise. 

 “That doesn’t mean our government has a climate record to be proud of. We’ve still seen swathes of new climate-wrecking oil and gas licences approved, a possible coal mine in Cumbria in the pipeline, and our COP26 president no longer has a seat at the Cabinet table.

Ms Lucas asked the question during PMQs yesterday (Image: UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor)

“If Rishi Sunak is to become a truly green PM, he must commit to keeping fossil fuels in the ground for good, and take global climate diplomacy seriously.” 

Friends of the Earth energy campaigner Danny Gross said: “This is a fantastic victory for common sense, the environment and local communities across the country who have stood up to the threat of fracking.

“The government must now focus on real solutions to the energy crisis including a street-by-street home insulation programme and developing the UK’s huge potential of onshore wind and solar energy production.”

The shift back against fracking was also welcomed by green Tories.

Sam Hall, director of the Conservative Environment Network said: “It is unpopular, and few communities would approve fracking projects locally, meaning little or no gas would be extracted, despite the high political cost.

“Instead, the government should focus on building more cheap and popular renewables, including onshore wind and solar where there is local support.

“These technologies will bring down bills, improve energy sovereignty and reduce emissions.”