News from IGEM UK
Autumn Statement 2014: UK pledges more than £35m to boost shale industry
The UK government will offer a £36 million funding boost for the nascent shale industry for the next tax year, through investment in research test centres and public engagement.
Chancellor George Osborne's final Autumn Statement said the government would be "taking steps to ensure that the UK leads the way with shale gas regulation" by allocating £31 million in funding for "sub surface research test centres" as well as £5 million in funding to better engage with the public on the shale industry's regulatory process.
The test centres, to be funded through the Natural Environment Research Council, will produce research relevant to both the shale and carbon capture and storage industries, the statement said.
The government will also fund a £5 million drive to "ensure the public is better engaged" with the shale development regulatory process through independent evidence on "the robustness of the existing regulatory regime".