The Times reports (9/1/14) the Government is prepared to give communities near fracking sites a bigger share of the proceeds, following pressure from backbench Conservative MPs.

The paper said ministers are willing to reconsider the present proposals for community benefits which would give local groups 1 per cent of revenues from fracking.

According to The Times, ministers acknowledge that the offer may have to be increased if fracking is to take off across Britain. Local councils are said to have called for 10% but 1-4% is thought to be “more realistic” by the Government.

The Treasury Minister, Nicky Morgan, is quoted as saying that energy companies were on the verge of providing more details about “how and to whom the community benefits for shale gas will be paid”.