Shale gas fracking should go ahead in UK, says taskforce

Controversial technology approved as way to meet climate change targets in short term - but green campaigners dismissive of report funded by industry

Fracking for shale gas in the UK should be pursued as an alternative to the use of coal, a taskforce on the controversial technology has concluded, in order to provide a bridge to a low-carbon future.

But shale gas should not receive public subsidy or tax breaks, and the tax revenues arising from its exploitation should be redeployed to develop renewable energy and other low-carbon innovations, according to the chairman of the taskforce, former Labour cabinet minister Lord Smith.