Commenting on the announcement by No 10 that cash benefits for communities affected by fracking will go directly to families, Greenpeace UK chief scientist Dr Doug Parr said:
"The government has tried to sweeten the fracking pill with cash payments before, and it didn't worked. Over the last two years, public opposition has soared and support for shale has tanked. People's concerns about climate change and their local environment cannot be silenced with a wad of cash. You can't put a price on the quality of the air you breathe, the water you drink, and the beauty of our countryside. If Theresa May wants to show the UK is open for business, she should reverse the policies that have harmed our vibrant clean energy sector and back the technologies that can supply cheap, homegrown energy for decades to come."
ENDS - Government data shows support for fracking has dropped since February 2014, when the surveys first began (from 27% to 21%), whilst opposition has been steadily rising (from 21% to 31%)
Contact: Stefano Gelmini, Greenpeace UK press office m 07506 512442
