David Cameron's government has agreed to effectively block fracking temporarily across the UK in what will be seen as a humiliating climbdown for the Prime Minister.

 

Coalition ministers backed down amid fears of an embarrassing Commons defeat over the issue.

They have agreed that the controversial method of extracting Shale Gas cannot go ahead until a series of new conditions are met, designed to address practical and environmental concerns.

Ministers have also agreed to a ban on fracking in all national parks, and areas of special interest or outstanding natural beauty.

Full control over fracking is due to be devolved to Holyrood as part of the Smith Commission proposals, which Labour has pledged to bring in within 12 months if it wins May's general election.

But the latest move by the Coalition could mean no fracking goes ahead before that point.

Tory ministers announced the U-turn amid intense speculation that they were about to lose a key Commons vote, in part because of a rebellion among Mr Cameron's own backbenches.

It is understood that a number of Lib Dems were also were preparing to resign from the government in order to vote against it over fracking.

MPs are concerned that the issue is one that increasing appears to be causing anxiety to voters.

Some Scottish Labour MPs have received hundreds of representations from constituents opposed to fracking in their area.

The climbdown is a massive blow to David Cameron, who has hailed Shale Gas as a solution to the UK's energy problems.

Ironically, the block was backed by the Greens, who have seen a surge in the opinion polls south of the border in recent weeks thanks to Mr Cameron's backing for the party over the leaders' TV debates.

Tom Greatrex, Labour's shadow energy minister and the MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West, said: "This is a huge U-turn by the Government and big victory for the protection of Britain's environment.

"Scottish Labour has always said that Shale Gas extraction cannot go ahead unless there is a system of robust regulation and comprehensive inspection, but David Cameron has repeatedly ignored people's genuine and legitimate environmental concerns over shale gas.

Now the Government has been forced to accept that tough protections and proper safeguards must be in place before fracking can go ahead."

He added: "Attention must now turn to the Scottish Government, who can block Shale Gas in Scotland if they choose.

"The SNP in Holyrood have always had control over the planning and permitting regime, giving them an effective veto over any developments."

But the SNP, who supported a separate amendment to the Infrastructure Bill, that would have introduced a time-limited moratorium on fracking, accused Labour of a "sham".

Backing for Labour's amendment was as announced by Tory energy minister Amber Rudd.

Just hours earlier Mr Cameron had insisted that there must no delays to fracking in the UK.

He also predicted that "understandably sceptical" members of the public would be won over by the financial benefits of the new energy source.

Labour's motion blocks fracking unless energy firms meet a series of 13 conditions, including that an environmental impact assessment must be carried out and the creation of community benefit schemes.

At the weekend a series of protests by green campaigners were held to hight the issue, including outside the Grangemouth refinery in Stirlingshire whose owners Ineos propose spending millions on Shale Gas exploration.

Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy has said that if he becomes First Minister a local referendum would have to be held before any fracking was permitted..

Earlier this week a report by the Comons Environmental Audit Committee called for a moratorium, warning that fracking was incompatible with climate change targets.

That call was attacked by KOOG, which represents the onshore oil and gas sector.

Mary Church, from Friends of the Earth Scotland, said her organisation had backed a time-limited moratorium, adding: "Fracking is fast becoming a toxic election issue."

It is thought that Lib Dem MP Tessa Munt, parliamentary private secretary to business secretary Vince Cable, had been preparing to resign from her unpaid government role over the issue.

Ms Munt, who has long opposed fracking, is facing a tough re-election battle in her marginal constituency of Wells.