Fracking has cost £32m for the taxpayer, says watchdog

FRACKING HAS cost the taxpayer more than £32m in the last eight years as public opposition grows to the controversial gas extraction technique, a watchdog report warns today.

The National Audit Office estimates that at least £32.7m has been spent by public bodies since 2011 on dealing with policing, environmental monitoring and planning applications linked to hydraulic fracturing for shale gas.

Despite this, its report published today says progress in establishing a shale gas industry in England has been slower than expected, with only three wells fracked to date compared with the Government’s target of 20 by the middle of the next decade.

The three wells fracked by energy giant Cuadrilla in Lancashire have seen activity halted or stopped altogether because of earthquakes, while rival operator Third Energy did not receive consent to frack its well at Kirby Misperton in North Yorkshire amid fierce local opposition.

According to the NAO’s report, a public attitudes survey by the Government shows opposition to fracking has risen from 21 per cent of the population to 40 per cent between 2013 and 2019, with the proportion in support falling from 27 per cent to 12 per cent.

The report said: “Public concern has centred on the risks to the environment and public health; from fracking-induced earthquakes; and the adequacy of the environmental regulations in place. Local authorities we interviewed said the strength of public opposition for shale gas planning applications was unprecedented.”

The NAO said the Department for Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) did not know the full cost of supporting shale gas development through fracking.

North Yorkshire Police spent £740,000 managing protests at Kirby Misperton, with the Home Office reimbursing £614,000.

A BEIS spokesperson said: “The Government has always said shale gas exploration can only proceed as long as it is safe and environmentally responsible.

“The Oil and Gas Authority will soon publish a finalised scientific assessment of recent industry data and we will set out our future approach as soon as we have considered the findings.”