Nigel Farage Urges UK to Revive Fracking to Lower Energy Bills

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Nigel Farage calls for the immediate return of fracking in Britain, arguing it would help ease the burden of high energy bills and strengthen domestic energy security. Reform UK has pledged to lift the current ban and back shale gas extraction as a practical response to the country’s ongoing energy challenges.

Farage made the remarks during a visit to a decommissioned fracking site in Lancashire, where he outlined his party’s plan to support regulated shale gas production. He stated that tapping into the UK’s onshore reserves could reduce dependence on imported gas and offer more stable pricing for consumers. Reform UK’s energy platform includes measures to fast-track exploration licences and remove regulatory hurdles that have stalled the sector since its suspension.

The moratorium on fracking was first introduced in 2019 over concerns about minor tremors and environmental impact. Although briefly lifted under Liz Truss’s administration in 2022, it was quickly reinstated. The current Labour government has upheld the ban, refusing to consider fracking despite ongoing energy price pressures and concerns about foreign reliance.

Farage criticised that position, stating: “There is no credible reason for Britain to block fracking while continuing to import gas at a premium. The technology exists, and the safeguards can be enforced.” He also pointed to the United States, where fracking has driven down domestic prices and ensured greater self-sufficiency.

This policy push reflects Reform UK’s broader stance on energy, which includes rolling back net-zero targets and increasing investment in fossil fuels. Farage argues that the current path prioritises ideology over affordability and fails to deliver practical outcomes for households facing rising living costs.

Public opinion on fracking remains mixed. While some local communities have raised environmental concerns, others support renewed drilling as a route to cheaper and more reliable energy. A recent industry report claims Britain’s shale reserves could meet domestic gas demand for two decades if extraction is permitted under strict safety standards.

Energy continues to rank among the top concerns for voters. As Reform UK positions itself against what it sees as unrealistic and costly green policies, fracking is likely to remain a divisive issue in the national debate. The party intends to keep pressure on the government to consider domestic solutions rather than leaning on expensive imports.