Fracking licence bidding to open as National Parks are protected
The bidding process for licences to explore shale gas will open today, the government has announced.
The government is committed to going "all out for shale", claiming it is important for energy security, jobs and the economy.
Critics argue shale gas - which is extracted by the process of fracking - is damaging to the environment with the risk of water pollution.
Ministers are also expected to announce that National Parks will be protected from the practice unless there are "exceptional circumstances".
