Green Fools: Preventing Fracking At Home Tory Govt Hands Out Aid To Boost Fracking In China

The British Government has given thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ cash to help fracking in China, it has been revealed – to the anger of cross-party MPs.

Foreign Office minister Mark Field has admitted since 2016 the department spent £87,000 on projects to improve the “environmental regulation of shale gas development in China”.

The Tories are spending UK aid to support fracking in China (Image: GETTY)

The move has been condemned by politicians, who expressed astonishment that Britain was boosting the economic superpower’s energy sector.

James Roberts at TaxPayers’ Alliance said: “When it comes to our aid cash, China is big enough to look after itself.

“And at a time when we are crippling our own energy market with rules and regulations, it beggars belief we’re giving the Chinese a leg-up in the shale sector with our foreign aid.” […]

The Foreign Office has argued working with China was a national security priority as it was an opportunity to influence the future of the superpower.

A spokeswoman said: “Britain’s aid helps the UK to create opportunities, peace and prosperity worldwide, which is in the national interest.

“In China shale gas is a ‘transition’ fuel as the country moves away from coal. Sharing UK expertise will help to ensure that the exploration and development of shale gas meets higher environmental standards.”