The insider added: “Even if the moratorium were to be lifted immediately, it would take around 10 years for gas to be produced for the market, after gaining the necessary approvals and undergoing consultation.”

Critics also argue that a return to fracking would not lower prices in the UK. They sau gas prices are set by international markets and additional domestic production would probably be insufficient to materially impact that.

Craig Mackinlay, Tory MP and chairman of the Net Zero Scrutiny Group, urged the Government to rethink its stance on fracking.

He said plugging the Cuadrilla sites “at the height of an energy crisis is utter madness”. The move will also undermine Mr Johnson’s net zero targets by forcing Britain to import more gas, which has a higher carbon footprint than homegrown shale gas, Mr Mackinlay argued.

Steve Baker, former minister and deputy chairman of the group, said he had hoped the increased energy price cap, which will see bills rocket by almost £700 for around 22 million households in April, “would act as a wake-up call for ministers” on fracking.

He added that “by abandoning our shale gas industry, we will inflict more costs on our constituents” and pass up the opportunity for the creation of almost 75,000 jobs linked to the fracking industry. 

A Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy spokesman said: “We’ve always been clear that the development of domestic energy sources, including fracking, must be safe and cause minimal disruption and damage to those living and working nearby sites.

“We ended support for fracking on the basis of scientific evidence, showing that it is not currently possible to accurately predict the probability and size of tremors associated with fracking. Shale gas remains unproven as a resource in the UK.”