Ban on gas fracking in England lifted in push for energy independence

A fracking rig flares gas during an anti-fracking protest by Greenpeace activists outside the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain February 9, 2016. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth/Files

Britain on Thursday formally lifted a moratorium on fracking for shale gas in England that has been in place since 2019, saying strengthening the country's energy supply was an "absolute priority".

Energy prices have soared in Europe after Russia invaded Ukraine, and Britain is subsidising bills for households and businesses at a predicted cost of more than 100 billion pounds ($113 billion).