BEIS Wave 24 gives palliative relief to the frackers

Today’s release of BEIS data for Wave 24 of their quarterly polling gives some palliative relief to the ailing UK fracking industry. It shows that the relentless slide towards single figure percentage support has been, at least temporarily, halted. The industry, however, are still a long way from reversing the plummeting support over the last few years.

Wave 24

Support has gone up from the all time low of 13% to 16% and opposition has fallen from the all time high of 36% to 32%. Keeping in mind that small fluctuations can be expected in any data sample, and that this particular sample’s professed knowledge of fracking was 3% lower than the last 2 samples,  the industry are still a long way from reversing the inexorable trend that is shown below.

Equally interesting is the collapse in the acceptance of the industry’s standard PR lines. When asked why they support fracking the reason “Good for local jobs and investment” has fallen from 28% to 18% and “May result in cheaper energy bills” has fallen from 26% to 21%.

In spite of the huge resources thrown at PR by the industry the story is clear. Their efforts to persuade the general public are failing miserably.