Business secretary misses committee hearing on energy transition
The business secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, has avoided scrutiny by MPs on the UK phase out of fossil fuels.
Government warned to drop “disproportionate” ban on noisy protests
The government should drop its plan to ban noisy protests in England and Wales, a parliamentary committee has warned.
Parliamentary committee seeks evidence on human rights impact of bill to curb protest
The human rights committee of the UK parliament has called for evidence on the government’s new bill that would give police greater powers to restrict protest.
Spending watchdog investigates costs of fracking
The potential cost to the public of decommissioning fracking sites is to be investigated by the government’s spending watchdog.
UK fracking tremor rules “absurd and unworkable”, says Ineos – campaigners accuse company of “aggressive and misinformed attack”
The UK’s biggest shale gas licence-holder has accused the government of “shutting down shale by the backdoor” with rules on fracking-induced earth tremors.
200 MPs calls for pension fund to divest from fossil fuels
A cross-party group of 200 current and former MPs has called for the parliamentary pension fund to stop investing in fossil fuel companies.
Plans to fast track fracking are “irresponsible and downright bonkers” – MP tells minister
The Conservative MP whose constituency includes Cuadrilla’s fracking site has urged the government to scrap its proposals designed to speed up shale gas decisions.
Government warned it could lose vote over changes to shale gas planning rules
The government was warned this morning to drop proposals to change the planning rules on shale gas.
Water management at Cuadrilla’s Lancs fracking site a “matter of priority” – Minister
Fracking Week in Parliament Cuadrilla has been asked to address surface water management on its site at Preston New Road, as a priority, the Environment Minister wrote last week.
What’s happening this week? 12-18 December 2016
This week’s diary features two parliamentary evidence sessions, three county council meetings, a two-day conference, a consultation deadline, film screening, party and two planning meetings.
DRILL OR DROP? 