Reacting to the defeat of Labour’s fracking motion Dr Doug Parr, Greenpeace UK Policy Director, said:

“This government has pushed its MPs to avoid scrutiny of them breaking the Conservatives’ own manifesto pledge, a promise that helped them win votes in parts of the UK where fracking has been touted. That is a disgrace.

“This is a con and a betrayal that will be felt by voters. The dangerous impact on climate, if fracking ever really happens, will be felt by everyone, but particularly by those in the Global South.

“And the most pathetic part is that it won’t even make a jot of difference to people’s bills – because new gas from fracking or from the North Sea just gets sold on international markets to the highest bidder.

“Meanwhile the government continues to largely ignore the most obvious and practical solution: fixing our draughty homes that are wasting energy and costing us money and carbon emissions. No one voted for this.”