Onshore industry slams Labour manifesto pledge to ban fracking

Labour’s manifesto, entitled ‘For the many, not the few’, was officially launched this week, following an earlier leak.

A mission outlined in the manifesto includes ensuring security of energy supply and “keeping the lights on”. However, the manifesto also calls to ban fracking: “because it would lock us into an energy infrastructure based on fossil fuels, long after the point in 2030 when the Committee on Climate Change says gas in the UK must sharply decline.”

In response, UKOOG chief executive Ken Cronin, said the Labour Party's position had changed “dramatically” in two years, which showed a misunderstanding of how the UK uses energy.

Cronin said: “The only solution to our pressing energy needs is a balanced mix of nuclear, renewables and gas – produced here in this country, creating tax revenues and skilled jobs.”

Manifestos from the other major parties are expected this week. The general election is taking place on 8 June.