There has been a moratorium over fracking since November 2019 – approved by Mr Johnson and adopted the month before the general election. 

But it is understood that in recent days Mr Johnson has begun to discuss again with his inner circle whether fracking could form some part of the UK’s energy future.

Energy supply strategy

The Prime Minister is said to want ministers to look into whether fracking could return in any form as they work on an “energy supply strategy” he announced this week.

The strategy is looking at how the UK can become more energy self-reliant and will consider speeding up the adoption of small “modular” nuclear reactors and renewable energy.

One idea which will be considered – once again – is whether providing financial incentives to communities that approve fracking nearby could change the public mood on the technology.

It has been alleged that a key factor in fracking being banned moments before the 2019 election was because figures running the Tory campaign were nervous about its unpopularity.

Some of the constituencies above the Bowland Shale, an area of potential shale gas in the Midlands and North England which has been explored, were Labour strongholds dubbed Red Wall seats which the Tories were then targeting. 

Fracking was discussed at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, with one source familiar with discussions saying a number of “positive noises” were made by ministers attending.

Yet the Cabinet remains split. Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Brexit opportunities minister, is pushing for fracking’s return but Kwasi Kwarteng, the Business Secretary, remains more cautious.

Work on the energy support paper is being headed up by Mr Kwarteng. It is not due to be published until the week after next, despite Mr Johnson implying it was imminent this week.

‘Reckless opposition’

It remains unclear, with almost a fortnight of internal government deliberations ahead, exactly where the Government’s position on fracking will settle in the paper.

A spokesperson for the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Department said: “The government’s moratorium on fracking, announced in 2019, remains in place and will remain so until compelling new evidence is provided over its safety. 

“Fracking would have no effect on domestic energy prices in the near future. To boost energy security, we need to move away from expensive fossil fuels and generate more cheap, clean and secure power in the UK.”

Iain Conn, the former chief executive of Centrica, played down the benefits fracking could bring in the UK during an interview on BBC Radio Four’s Today program.

Mr Conn said: “While in theory it makes a lot of sense in practice I don’t think it’s possible to drill enough wells to be able to make a material difference to the UK’s supplies.”

Meanwhile, Nicola Sturgeon’s government was accused of a “reckless opposition” to North Sea oil and gas exploration as the Tories backed a new wave of drilling licences.