The game is up. The fracking industry has had the opportunity, time and again, to demonstrate this method of extraction can be used safely here in Fylde. As I said in Parliament earlier this year, you cannot keep doing the same thing and expect something different to happen. The geology is not suitable, the evidence is clear.
I was angry, therefore, to hear that rather than pressing ahead and clearing the Preston New Road site, Cuadrilla wants to extend it’s planning permission to remain on the site for another two years. It must be pointed out that the national moratorium remains in place and the company is not asking to carry out any further drilling. The question then must be why the need to stay?
In my view the time has come for Cuadrilla to pack up and leave, to remove what is left of the drilling operation and restore the countryside. This is a position I have made clear to Ministers and to Lancashire County Council, which will ultimately have the decision on whether planning permission, due to expire in April, will be extended.
It was a pleasure to be invited to Clifton Homecare, in St Annes, to unveil a superb piece of unique artwork, commemorating and celebrating those who work in the social care sector. So many workers made sacrifices during the pandemic, to keep our loved ones safe, to protect their independence and to support their colleagues in the NHS. I know our social care workers and their heath service colleagues have played and continue to play a front line role in our communities. The artwork, by Nathan Wyburn, is a fitting tribute and an inspiration to all those who continue to work so hard in our communities.
I know just how important social care workers are, not only to those they work with, day in day out, but to our whole communities, ensuring people have a place to go and the help they need when they leave hospital. The Government understands just what a crucial cog they are in our healthcare system, spending £8m in Lancashire and hundreds of millions more across the country this winter to provide additional packages. This investment is, to me, one of the most important we can make.
The next few days will give many of us a chance to slow down, to join together with our families and friends, to celebrate and hopefully put our worries to one side. I know there are those who will be working, whether on our hospital wards or in our hospitality businesses. To every one I am grateful and to all in Fylde I wish a very Merry Christmas.