MPs hold fracking meeting with Cameron

Wyre MP Ben Wallace, Fylde MP Mark Menzies and Paul Maynard, MP for Blackpool North and Cleveleys, met David Cameron to discuss securing more than the currently proposed one per cent in fracking revenue for communities.

In June the United Kingdom Onshore Operators Group launched a “Shale Community Engagement Charter” which promised money for the communities where fracking – the process of injecting liquid underground to release shale gas in rocks – takes place.

Mr Wallace believes Lancashire, Cheshire and parts of West Yorkshire will receive £2.6bn as part of their share, but he is fighting for more.

He said: “At the moment the industry proposes to give just one per cent of revenue from fracking to communities, but I want more.

“I felt it was important that Lancashire and my constituents have some ownership of this and we would like the wealth to stay in this area if fracking goes ahead.

“I’ve had a series of meetings with the Chancellor about this and it needs to be part of the process where communities are in receipt of this and it doesn’t disappear to the Treasury.

“I fear if it does go to the Treasury my constituents wouldn’t be able to support fracking.

“The Prime Minister took on board what we said but didn’t make any commitments.

“He totally understands it, it’s just about a battle to get more money from the Treasury.

“We will now seek a cross-party consensus with my colleagues to put pressure on the Treasury and tell them we need more money.”