MP Calls for Urgent Ban Extension to Prevent ‘Fracking in All But Name’ in Burniston

The Member of Parliament for Scarborough and Whitby, Alison Hume, has used a Westminster debate to call on the government to broaden the existing fracking ban.

The MP issued a powerful appeal to the government to broaden the existing fracking ban, warning that a legal loophole is enabling oil and gas companies to pursue controversial drilling projects on the Yorkshire Coast under a different guise.

Ms Hume raised urgent concerns during a Westminster Hall debate on 10 December 2025, specifically highlighting the application by Europa Oil and Gas to frack for gas in Burniston, located just outside the North York Moors. This application is currently due to be heard by the North Yorkshire Council Planning Committee.

The core of the MP's argument centres on the government’s 2019 moratorium on fracking. Ms Hume explained that the current legal definition only applies to operations above certain fluid volumes, effectively creating a loophole that allows companies to pursue “small-scale fracking,” often referred to as “proppant squeeze,” which she insists carries the same risks as larger operations.

Ms Hume welcomed the government’s commitment to permanently outlawing higher-volume fracking for shale gas but stressed that the policy must go further to protect her constituents. She stated that the community in Burniston is clear in its opposition to Europa’s plans.

During the debate, Ms Hume shared her concerns directly with Michael Shanks, the Minister for Energy, detailing how current legislation is being circumvented:

“I wondered if the minister could confirm that he'll review the current definition of fracking to include applications for lower volumes of fluid.

At Labour Party conference this year, I was thrilled to hear the Secretary of State confirm that he wanted to legislate at the earliest opportunity to ban fracking for shale gas permanently in England. However, I would argue that his proposed ban on fracking does not go far enough.

Under current plans, oil and gas companies will continue to apply for planning permission where there are existing licenses. And with the loophole in place enabling companies to propose fracking projects at smaller fluid volumes, they may be able to carry out the exact operations that the government is attempting to outlaw. "

"The current legislation actually allows Europa to do exactly what the moratorium should be there to block.

It's clear that this volume based definition has created a legal loophole for oil and gas companies to evade the government's ban on fracking and proceed to do so under a different name. In this case, proppant squeeze.

Clearly, these regulatory loopholes around fluid volume are arbitrary and unhelpful. Proppant squeeze carries the same intent and the same risks as higher volume fracking. It is fracking in all but name.”

Ms Hume warned that small-scale fracking brings "multiple risks," including earthquakes, groundwater contamination, methane leaks, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions, and vowed to continue campaigning for a comprehensive ban. She concluded her argument with a forceful demand for legislative change:

“Today, I'm urging the minister to act to ban all fracking. I'm calling on the government to close the loopholes in the Petroleum Act 1998 by changing the definition of fracking to include small-cale fracking and to amend legislation to prevent new planning application under existing licenses.

By introducing these changes, this government can demonstrate deeds, not words, on its commitment to a total ban on fracking. And we can ensure that policy is truly mind to a climate obligations.”

Minister Acknowledges Concerns, Prioritises Evidence

Responding to the debate, Michael Shanks, Minister for Energy, acknowledged community concerns and praised Ms Hume's campaigning on the issue. He confirmed that the government is planning to legislate to end high-volume fracking for shale gas permanently, ensuring no new licences are issued, and stressed that the existing moratorium remains in place for all current high-volume licences.

However, the Minister maintained that any changes to the definition of fracking must be based on objective evidence. He explained the government’s current position regarding low-volume operations:

“The way that this government makes policy is based on evidence and the evidence base is not there at the moment to suggest that low volume hydraulic fracturing activities have the same associated risks as fracking for shale gas.

Now, my honorable friend rightly asked if I'd consider a review of that definition. And I say that of course I keep all of these things under review and I'm very happy to continue to review new evidence as it comes forward. But it has to be based on evidence and we have to see additional evidence to what um we have currently reviewed in terms of this definition and that isn't there at the moment.”

The Minister confirmed that the Department and he personally will keep low-volume hydraulic fracturing “under active review” and remains open to objective evidence from any source,.

He concluded by confirming that the Department is monitoring the situation closely and is prepared to act if the evidence requires it:

“The department and myself are keeping under active review low volume hydraulic fracturing.

We are open to receiving objective evidence from wherever that may come from. Uh and we will review that and we will look at um if definitions need to change and if further legislation is required. But the position is as I've set out at the moment.”

Speaking after the debate Alison Hume, MP for Scarborough and Whitby, said: 

“Proppant squeeze is fracking in all but name. I welcome the Government’s commitment to outlawing higher-volume fracking, however it must go further and close the loophole that enables oil and gas companies to frack at lower volumes. We know that small-scale fracking brings multiple risks, including earthquakes, and contributes to climate change. 

“Our community in Burniston are clear in our opposition to Europa’s fracking plans. I will continue to campaign locally and in Parliament for a comprehensive ban on fracking.”