Fracking ban to be put to Holyrood vote

MSPs will vote on whether to put an outright ban on fracking today, after Scottish labour tabled an amendment to a government debate on a "sustainable low-carbon economy".

The Scottish Government currently has a moratorium on the practice, which involves drilling into the earth to extract natural shale gas from rock. Scottish Labour, the Scottish Greens and the Liberal Democrats all pledged to ban it in their election manifestos.

Meanwhile Grangemouth plant owner Ineos is thought to have purchased a license to explore 329 square kilometres of central Scotland.

RELATED CONTENT

Election 2016 manifestos: Environment and energy policies

Substantial support for fracking within Lib Dem membership, says election candidate

In today's debate Roseanna Cunningham's motion argues "Scotland's stunning natural environment is one of its most precious assets", while an amendment by Scottish Labour's Claudia Beamish asks parliament to recognise "to meet Scotland's climate change goals and protect the environment, there must be an outright ban on fracking in Scotland".

Green MSP Mark Ruskell said unconventional gas extraction is incompatible with the Government's low-carbon ambitions.

The Scottish Conservatives are in favour of it however, arguing it safeguards future energy supplies and job opportunities.