The Church of Scotland has criticised Government plans to introduce tax breaks for the controversial gas-extraction method known as fracking.

Convener of the Kirk's Church and Society Council, the Reverend Sally Foster-Fulton accused the Government of being "deaf to the cries" of countries experiencing rising sea levels and climate chaos, like Tuvalu, Bangladesh and Malawi.

Instead of pursuing fracking, she said the Government should concentrate on reducing the nation's carbon footprint and move away from a carbon-based economy.

She also called for more investment in green energy solutions.

"Instead of embracing a new low carbon future the Chancellor is signalling a return to the old carbon economy, at the expense not only of those people who will be affected by fracking operations in Britain but those around the world who suffer most from the effects of climate change," she said.

"In a country rich in potential renewable energy and with great opportunities to reduce our energy wastage by better home insulation there are many alternatives to fracking."

She added: "It is a sad day for climate justice."