Tax breaks for fracking
Tax breaks and fast-tracked permits for controversial shale gas exploration are likely to form part of the multi-billion pound infrastructure package aimed at kick-starting sluggish economic growth
MP complains about lack of detail on fracking reforms
Barbara Keeley MP has called for a debate in the Commons about shale gas after complaining that Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander had only "one mumbled sentence" on the subject.
Addressing Commons leader Andrew Lansley, she said: "We learned on BBC News this morning that the Government was likely to announce a streamlined planning process to award drilling permits for shale gas but we didn't hear any more detail.
"We got one mumbled sentence in the statement from [Danny Alexander].
"For constituencies like mine this is a key issue because we have the threat now of fracking for shale gas close to two housing estates."
Mr Lansley replied that Department for Energy and Climate Change ministers will be in the Commons on July 11 to answer questions.
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