Reform UK-led council refuses fracking ban call

Lancashire County Council has rejected a motion calling on the government to impose a permanent ban on fracking. The motion was proposed by the Reform UK party, which argued that fracking poses significant risks to the environment and public health. However, the council, which is controlled by the Conservative party, voted against the proposal. The decision comes amid ongoing debate over the use of hydraulic fracturing to extract natural gas from shale formations. Proponents of fracking argue that it could help to reduce the UK's reliance on imported fossil fuels and contribute to the country's energy security. Critics, however, have raised concerns about the potential environmental and health impacts of the process. The rejection of the motion by Lancashire County Council suggests that the local authority is not yet ready to take a firm stance against fracking. It remains to be seen whether the national government will take action to address the issue in the future.