Horizontal fracking can go ahead, the BBC has reported, in a landmark ruling for the UK shale gas industry.

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid has approved plans for fracking at Cuadrilla's Preston New Road site - yet more good stuff from the MP this week following his pledge to tackle the supply of houses in the UK.

Eamonn Butler, Director of the Adam Smith Institute, said:

Theresa May has complained about high energy prices. Producing more gas through fracking is a good way to keep prices down. It also makes us less dependent on oil and gas imports from unpredictable suppliers such as Russia and the Middle East. With all the world’s uncertainties, and with North Sea production running down, this is a good time to be exploring new energy sources, and making ourselves self-sustainable in energy.

Fracking is happening in other countries, with very few problems, and can only get better as technology and expertise improve. It will create and sustain employment and boost our productivity.

Twenty years from now everyone will wonder what all the fuss was about.