In 2021, gas prices increased by almost a third, after the UK was forced to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the US.

In 2021, gas prices increased by almost a third. This was due to the UK being forced to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the US, after domestic production of shale gas fell. Shale had become an important source of energy for the UK in recent years, with many landowners in England and Wales receiving thousands of pounds per year in royalties for allowing fracking companies to drill on their land. However, following 2020’s Fracking Ban Act and continued protests against fracking sites across England and Wales, production fell sharply. The government attempted to negotiate deals with other countries for shale imports but was met with opposition from environmental groups across Europe.

By October 2021, it became clear that there would be no alternative sources of shale available in time for winter. The government made the decision to import LNG from America until shale production could be restored in 2022.