PM Urges Support For Fracking

Prime Minister David Cameron has said the UK must "get behind fracking".

He added that once the benefits of the method are explained, the process should have "real public support."

Mr Cameron made the comments in an article for the Daily Telegraph.

He also addressed concerns over the controversial technique, saying it as safe if it was properly regulated. A number of environmentalists are opposed to fracking as they fear it can lead to small earth tremors, water contamination and wider environmental damage.

Mr Cameron wrote: "It's been suggested in recent weeks that we want fracking to be confined to certain parts of Britain. This is wrong.

"I want all parts of our nation to share in the benefits - north or south, Conservative or Labour. We are all in this together.

"If neighbourhoods can really see the benefits - and get proper reassurance about the environment - then I don't see why fracking shouldn't get real public support."

He added that the process had "real potential to drive energy bills down".

"It's simple - gas and electric bills can go down when our home grown energy supply goes up," he explained.

"We're not turning our back on low-carbon energy, but these sources aren't enough - we need a mix."

The Prime Minister also referred to the benefits for the local employment market, claiming fracking could create more than 70,000 jobs.

However, Friends of the Earth said Cameron was "simply adding to the hot air" on the issue, with spokesman Craig Bennett adding: "There's plenty of evidence it won't cut UK fuel bills."

Fracking, or 'hydraulic fracturing', involves drilling deep underground and releasing a high-pressure mix of water, sand and hundreds of chemicals to crack rocks and release gas stored inside.

Earlier this month, protests spanning several days were held in the village of Balcombe, West Sussex, in protest against exploratory drilling in the area.

(JP/CD)