A BAN on fracking in England has been lifted as the Government pushes for an increase in domestic energy production in the face of soaring bills.

The controversial move to end the moratorium, which was imposed in 2019 after tremors caused by fracking in Lancashire, could get gas flowing from onshore shale wells in as little as six months, new PM Liz Truss said.

But it will be met with strong opposition from local campaigners and environmentalists, who fear it can cause water contamination, traffic and noise pollution, and it is incompatible with efforts to cut climate-warming fossil fuels and switch to clean energy.

Earlier this year, then-Secretary of State Michael Gove backed a planning inspector’s rejection of an appeal by energy firm IGas Ltd for a test drill application in Ellesmere Port, because of its negative impact on climate change.

The decision was welcomed by campaigners and local MPs.

Speaking before the new PM's announcement, Cheshire MP Mike Amesbury said he was prepared to stand alongside campaigners against what he called 'vandalism of our countryside'.

The energy package, launched by the Prime Minister 48 hours into the job in a bid to tackle soaring prices, will see the Government drive forward new sources of energy supply from North Sea oil and gas, as well as clean power including nuclear, wind and solar.

But there was nothing on efforts to help households save energy through increased insulation and other efficiency measures that can permanently cut gas use and bills – a key ask from green groups and anti-poverty campaigners.

The package includes the launch of a new oil and gas licensing round, which is expected to lead to more than 100 new licences for fossil fuel extraction from the North Sea.

The move comes despite the International Energy Agency (IEA) warning that no new new oil and gas exploration should go ahead if the world is to meet its goal to curb temperature rises to 1.5C and avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

The UK has a legal target to cut climate emissions to zero overall by 2050, and the Government has also announced the launch of a review to ensure it is meeting the goal in an “economically-efficient way” and that it is not placing undue burdens on businesses or consumers.

News of the review may alarm environmental groups, who fear the new administration is not fully committed to tackling the climate crisis, but it is being chaired by former energy minister Chris Skidmore, a strong supporter of net zero.

A decade of controversy over fracking seemed to be drawing to an end when, at the beginning of 2022, it was announced the only two shale wells in the UK were to be permanently capped.

But as gas prices soared in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, there were calls to rethink the ban to secure UK energy supplies.

Ms Truss told the House of Commons: “We will end the moratorium on extracting our huge reserves of shale – which could get gas flowing as soon as six months – where there is local support for it.”

Fracking is back on the table despite the Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng, when he was business secretary earlier this year, warning that English shale reserves would not be produced at scale for a decade and would not be enough to lower international prices, which drive UK energy costs.

Polls also show it is far less popular with the public than clean energy sources such as offshore and onshore wind and solar power.

Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury said: "Campaigners and constituents breathed a sigh of relief when it looked like fracking was dead in the water.

“But the energy crisis has been seen by vested interests, backed by a small number of Tory MPs, including Truss, as an opportunity to resurrect this discredited practice.

“It’s being presented as a way of lowering energy prices because we know consumers are facing sky-rocketing bills.

“But it could take years to produce shale gas at scale, with no guarantees.

“Any fracked gas would go straight onto the international wholesale market to maximise profits so would have little or no impact on domestic energy prices.”

Mr Amesbury said as well as potential earthquakes, fracking can cause water and air contamination and ‘vandalism of our countryside’ through the drilling of wells.

Mr Amesbury added: “I don’t believe any community really wants fracking.

“What worries me are reports that the fracking firms are planning to offer households a 25 per cent cut in their energy bills and give communities £100,000 if they back fracking in their local area.

“That’s legalised bribery in my book.”

The MP concluded: “What we need is for Government to ramp up investment in renewables and make sure our homes are better insulated.

“In the short run, freeze the energy price cap and cut VAT on energy bills, funded by extending the windfall tax on the excess profits of North Sea oil and gas producers.”

Francis Egan, chief executive of energy company Cuadrilla, which has fracking operations in Lancashire, welcomed the lifting of the moratorium.

“A thriving shale gas industry will drive job creation across the North of England, generate much-needed tax revenues for central and local government, and benefit local communities financially.

“The Government has made the right call, and we look forward to working with them to ensure this industry can start generating results as soon as possible.

“The prize if we get this right will be an energy strategy fit for the 21st century that provides security of supply, economic prosperity, and vital support to the British public,” he said.