The government committed in today’s King’s Speech to a permanent ban on fracking – but there’s no still detail on which operations would be included.

Briefing documents confirmed that the Energy Independence Bill would deliver the government’s manifesto promise to ban fracking.

But campaigners said the ban must cover all forms of fracking.

A moratorium on fracking in England, introduced in 2019, has a presumption against fracking that uses more fluid than a threshold set out in law: 1,000m3 per fracking stage or 10,000m3 in total.

But lower-volume fracking, sometimes known as proppant squeeze or reservoir stimulation, is currently allowed. This has been described by opponents as a legal loophole.

There are plans to use lower-volume fracking to increase oil and gas production at onshore sites in North East Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire.

An application for proppant squeeze in North Yorkshire was refused permission last month. Europa Oil & Gas, the company behind that scheme, has said it will appeal.

Steve Mason, of Frack Free United and a North Yorkshire councillor said:

“I welcome this commitment to ban fracking…again, but let’s have some clarity. This pledge is merely a recycled headline that fails to close the loophole that the frackers just tried to drive a rig through in Burniston.

“That time, North Yorkshire Council stood with residents to reject ‘fracking by stealth,’ yet still the government plays semantic politics in Westminster, while communities are left hanging on the front line.”

He added:

“Its frustrating and exhausting that this has not moved a single inch since. The victory at Burniston proved that when you look past the policy mirage of labels like ‘proppant squeeze,’ you find the same unacceptable risks and the same climate ‘carbon bombs’.

“If the government wants to protect our communities, simply ban ALL new onshore fossil fuels extraction. If they won’t do that, then at least legislate for ban on the intent and product extracted and close the loophole that invites the industry game the system.”

Rosie Downes, head of campaigns at Friends of the Earth, said:

“This legislation must shut the door on fracking once and for all. Labour has pledged a permanent ban – now it must deliver one that covers every form of fracking, including so-called “proppant squeeze”.

“A loophole in the current moratorium is already being exploited by fossil fuel companies, putting communities across England at risk.”

The bill would also meet a manifesto commitment not to issue new licences to explore new oil and gas fields.

The briefing says the legislation would aim to “scale-up home grown renewable energy and protect living standards for the long-term”.

Friends of the Earth said the Energy Independence Bill was “urgently needed to unlock the UK’s vast homegrown renewable potential and deliver a step change in energy efficiency”.