Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has announced the Labour government's plan to introduce legislation that would permanently ban fracking across the United Kingdom. The announcement, made during Miliband's speech at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, represents a significant escalation from the current moratorium that has been in place since 2019. The proposed law would enshrine the prohibition in statute, making it substantially more difficult for future governments to reverse the policy.

Fracking, formally known as hydraulic fracturing, involves drilling deep into the earth and injecting a high-pressure mixture of water, sand, and chemicals to fracture shale rock and release natural gas. The practice has proven controversial in Britain due to concerns about seismic activity, with the Oil and Gas Authority concluding in 2019 that accurately predicting earthquake risks was not possible. The temporary ban was briefly lifted under Prime Minister Liz Truss in 2022 but was quickly reinstated by her successor, Rishi Sunak.

The Labour government's move sets up a direct confrontation with Reform UK, which has championed the revival of fracking as part of its energy platform. Miliband stated the legislation would be introduced "at the earliest opportunity" as part of the North Sea transition plan scheduled for publication this autumn. The energy secretary emphasized that the ban would protect the 187 constituencies situated above shale gas areas from potential drilling operations.

Environmental campaigners have welcomed the announcement, with Veronica Hawking, campaigns director at 38 Degrees, calling it "an amazing result for our environment, our local communities, and the thousands of committed people and groups right across the country who've spent years fighting for fracking to be banned for good." The legislation would require any future government seeking to reverse the ban to secure parliamentary approval, a politically challenging task given the widespread opposition to fracking in affected constituencies.

A man in his 50s remains in life-threatening condition after sustaining a serious head injury during an altercation with door staff outside licensed premises in Lurgan, County Armagh. The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning around 12:55am in the William Street area of the town, according to police statements from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

Detective Inspector Handley confirmed that the man had been attempting to re-enter the licensed premises when he became aggressive toward two members of the door staff. Police reports indicate that the door staff pushed the man backward, causing him to fall and strike his head on the ground, resulting in the serious head injury that now threatens his life.

The door staff provided immediate medical treatment to the injured man before he was transported to hospital, where he remains in critical condition. Police have not released additional details about the man's identity or current medical status, focusing instead on their ongoing investigation into the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.

PSNI detectives are continuing their enquiries and have appealed for witnesses or anyone with information, CCTV footage, or mobile phone recordings of the incident to come forward. The police reference number for the investigation is 75 of 19/10/25, and information can be provided through multiple channels including the PSNI website or anonymously via Crimestoppers.