West Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper:
“I am absolutely clear that all these multinational companies be they online, retail or fracking, must pay their taxes and not conjure up elaborate workarounds to avoid tax which should be going to fund public services including our roads, our schools and importantly our NHS.



“When the Government recently gave the green light for Cuadrilla to frack at Preston New Road, one key consideration was the financial resilience of the company. In the unfortunate event of Aurora’s application progressing that far, I would hope this strict financial consideration is more strongly enforced and a substantial deposit be demanded in support of any potential Decommissioning Cost liability.

“I oppose all plans to frack in this country and like many residents, I am worried by Aurora’s plans to frack here in Altcar, West Lancashire. Already I have contacted Lancashire County Council, the Environment Agency and Public Health England to raise my concerns over the impact fracking would have on my constituents in West Lancashire and I continue to work closely with local anti-fracking groups.

“As part of the campaign, I have invited the Shadow Energy Secretary Barry Gardiner MP to join me on site in Altcar to consider the many, many concerns and hear directly from residents of West Lancashire. This is the tip of the iceberg – if Altcar goes to plan, Ormskirk, Burscough or Skelmersdale could be next.”