FT: Labour seeks to tighten UK shale gas rules

Labour will seek to tighten the regulations governing the extraction of shale gas on Monday as the UK opposition party hardens its stance over the contentious technology.

The extraction of shale gas through hydraulic fracturing of rock, or “fracking”, will be discussed by MPs as part of legislation to reform trespass laws, which can stand in the way of exploration.

A number of Liberal Democrat MPs and a handful of Tories are also expected to voice concerns about the industry, amid hardening environmental opposition.

The government is concerned that the industry is being held back because developers have to apply to courts for permission to drill underneath people’s homes.
MORE