Fracking ban to be lifted despite scientists ‘advising UK that forecasting earthquake will be a challenge’

The review was due to be published last week but was delayed following news of the Queen’s death

The government is set to lift the ban on fracking despite a leaked scientific review that acknowledges that forecasting drilling-induced earthquakes “remains a scientific challenge”.

The key government-commissioned report by the British Geological Survey (BGS) includes little evidence that progress has been made in reducing and predicting the risk of fracking-induced earthquakes, The Guardian reports.

It also says there are still “significant existing knowledge gaps” when identifying sites that may be able to cope with magnitude 3 tremors.