How much gas can realistically be extracted remains unproven and the industry would likely need very strong Government backing to overcome opposition, beyond just lifting the ban.

Andrea Leadsom, the Tory MP who was business secretary when the ban was introduced, said on Sunday that she remembered the “fury and frustration” from nearby homeowners opposed to the practice but also claimed there was also a lot of “fake news” exaggerating the footprint of fracking sites.

She added: “At the same time if we were to try again with shale gas extraction it would have to be on the basis of an agreement with local communities that they would get their gas for free.

“That could persuade them to want to explore the opportunities again.”

Mrs Leadsom said the country should “absolutely” stick to its legally binding commitment to cut carbon emissions to net zero by 2050, but added that gas is a lower carbon alternative to other fossil fuels, such as coal. 

Meanwhile, the owners of two of Britain’s last remaining coal power stations have told the Government they will need taxpayer funds to delay their closure and keep them running next winter. 

Officials are understood to have approached both EDF and Uniper about the feasibility of extending the lifetime of three coal-burning units, as they seek ways to ease the energy crisis.

But the companies have said this will not be possible without the support of taxpayer funds, according to a government source.

EDF was approached about two coal burning units at West Burton A and Uniper about one unit at Ratcliffe-on-Soar, all of which are in Nottinghamshire. 

The three units are currently scheduled to close in September 2022 but extending and lifetimes would make another 1.5 gigawatts available to the electricity grid next winter. 

The Government insisted the final decision on whether to keep plants open was ultimately a commercial matter for businesses and that plans to phase-out coal by October 2024 remained in place.

But a source confirmed that temporarily extending the lifetime of coal-fired power plants before then was one of a several options being considered.

On Monday, the prime minister also hosted a roundtable with North Sea oil and gas bosses including Shell, Equinor and BP. It is understood they discussed ways of increasing investment in the ageing basin and getting projects online more quickly. 

The Government is also expected to meet with renewable energy bosses and nuclear companies in coming days and weeks as it prepares a new energy supply strategy. It is considering a 20-year extension to the Sizewell B nuclear plant which is meant to shut in 2035, according to the Financial Times.

A Government spokesman said: “In light of Russia’s unjustified invasion of Ukraine and rising global gas prices, it’s right we move away from dependence on Russian gas and increase our self-reliance in our energy security.

“We are considering all our options. We will set out an energy supply strategy which will supercharge our renewable energy and nuclear capacity as well as supporting our North Sea oil and gas industry.”