Nadhim Zahawi promises blackouts are ‘highly unlikely’
The Prime Minister has said she will get through the winter crisis by increasing UK energy production, but has refused to rule out power cuts.
In a series of tweets today, Liz Truss said the government is tackling the root of energy shortages by producing more energy at home.
She wrote: “To secure our long-term energy supply and reduce dependence on authoritarian regimes, we are accelerating our domestic energy production, including the launch of a new round of offshore oil and gas licenses from the North
“We are also accelerating the deployment of renewable energies such as hydrogen, solar and wind.”
This morning the climate minister said the government will not tell people to cut energy use because it is “not a nanny state”, but will not rule out rationing.
It comes as British households face three-hour blackouts if gas imports fail to meet demand this winter, National Grid has warned.
Russia’s war has created “unprecedented turmoil and volatility” in energy markets, the company said on Thursday, adding that previously planned power cuts may be necessary to prioritize power plants.
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Truss says he will get the country through the winter by increasing UK energy production
Prime Minister Liz Truss said output in the UK needed to be increased to deal with the energy crisis as she tried to reassure the public that the country will “get through this winter”.
In a series of tweets on Friday, he said: “We have taken decisive action to support homes and businesses with their energy costs, and we are working to ensure the UK is not in this position again by tackling the root cause of the energy crisis.
“That means producing more energy here at home.
“To secure our long-term energy supply and reduce dependence on authoritarian regimes, we are accelerating our domestic energy production, including the launch of a new round of North Sea oil and gas licences.
“We are also accelerating the deployment of renewable energies such as hydrogen, solar and wind.
“Yesterday I had discussions with our allies about the progress of Sizewell C and the construction of more nuclear power plants.
“We are also working to get better prices for people now – our energy supply taskforce is negotiating new long-term deals with gas suppliers.
“Together, we will get through this winter, grow our economy and secure our energy independence for the future.”
Maryam Zakir-Hussain October 7, 2022 1:46 p.m
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Insolvencies rise as businesses worry about energy bills, part one
Almost a quarter of small businesses say energy prices are their main concern as insolvencies rose to their highest level since the start of the financial crisis.
The number of insolvent companies in England and Wales has been rising since last year and reached 5,629 in the second quarter of 2022.
When adjusted for the season, this brought insolvencies to their highest level since the third quarter of 2009, in the midst of the global financial crisis.
The increase has come after companies were protected from insolvency during the pandemic due to changes in government rules.
These rules were only temporary and were later reversed, paving the way for many collapses in the wake of the crisis.
Businesses now face a whole new set of challenges as their costs rise and low-pressure shoppers reduce their spending.
“Several factors are likely to have played a role in the recent rise in insolvencies, including persistently high energy prices, difficulties in meeting debt obligations, rising commodity costs and supply chain disruptions,” the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. said Friday.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain October 7, 2022 1:27 p.m
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Lack of energy saving campaign is ‘another example of government failures’ – Friends of the Earth
Responding to the news that the government is not telling people to reduce global energy use, Friends of the Earth head of policy Mike Childs said: “The government could easily provide people with simple advice on how to reduce energy consumption, for example by adjusting boiler controls, which would both help improve energy security and reduce harmful carbon emissions.
“Failure to help people understand how to reduce energy consumption is another example of government failures in the energy crisis. Throughout 2022, basic insulation such as attic wall insulation and cavity, could have been rolled out to households most in need and all households offered independent energy saving advice.
“This would have reduced energy bills, reduced gas consumption and reduced government spending on the energy price freeze.
“If we have blackouts this winter, the government’s woeful lack of early action and preparation will be a key reason.”
Maryam Zakir-Hussain October 7, 2022 1:00 p.m
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The Climate Minister suggests that King Charles can attend Cop27 if he wishes
A minister has suggested the king can make his own decision about whether to attend an international climate conference in Egypt, amid reports the prime minister advised the monarch not to attend.
Liz Truss objected to King Charles III attending Cop27, which takes place in Sharm el-Sheikh next month.
Speaking during a series of interviews broadcast on Friday morning, Climate Minister Graham Stuart said “wherever King Charles decides to go, I think it’s very much up to him”, but added that “ministers without doubt they would advise it.”
But Stuart also said he did not know whether the report of the Prime Minister’s speech was correct.
Buckingham Palace has confirmed that Charles will not attend the international meeting, despite his long-standing commitment to environmental issues.
The Sunday Times reported that the decision not to go was made after the prime minister raised objections during an audience with the monarch at the Palace last month.
“It is clear that this is a decision that has been taken by consensus between the king and the government,” Leveling Up secretary Simon Clarke said earlier this week.
Any suggestion the king was “ordered to stay away” is “simply not true”, Clarke said.
Asked about the reports, Mrs Stuart said on Friday: “Wherever King Charles decides to go, I think it’s very much up to him.”
Asked again if the reports were correct, he said: “I don’t know.”
And then asked if he as climate minister would like the king to go, Mr Stuart said: “I don’t think it’s for ministers … to tell the king what he should do or what he shouldn’t do.”
Asked again about the reports when speaking to LBC, Stuart said: “I don’t. I can’t comment on that.
“If the king, Charles, goes to Sharm (el-Sheikh) … I would have thought it would be up to him, although ministers would certainly advise against it.”
Maryam Zakir-Hussain October 7, 2022 12:30 p.m
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Licenses available for sectors of the North Sea to generate new supplies of gas and oil
Licenses are being made available for sectors of the North Sea, known as blocks, and the NSTA estimates that more than 100 may be granted to encourage the production of new gas and oil supplies.
Companies are asked to apply for licenses for areas west of Shetland, north of the North Sea, central North Sea, south of the North Sea and east of the Irish Sea.
A total of 898 blocks and sub-blocks are being made available, but in a bid to encourage the production of new oil and gas supplies as soon as possible, the NSTA has identified four “priority cluster areas” south of the north sea
These areas, located near Norfolk, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, are known to contain hydrocarbons and are close to existing infrastructure, giving them the potential for rapid development.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain October 7, 2022 12:03 p.m
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New oil and gas exploration ‘good for the environment’, climate minister says
A new round of licenses for oil and gas exploration in the North Sea will be “good for the environment”, Climate Minister Graham Stuart has said.
The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) will begin the 33rd offshore licensing round, with the UK government arguing that increasing production will boost the economy and energy security.
“Our development will not affect our use,” said Stuart, “I know it sounds contradictory, but it’s actually good for the environment.”
But Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay said: “We can only hope to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees C if we leave fossil fuels in the ground.
“The government’s claim that burning ever more fossil fuels from the North Sea will help the UK meet its international obligations to become net zero by 2050 has no connection to reality – we really have gone through the looking glass “.
The Green Party also said that any new production, even if quickly, would not be available for years and would therefore not help address the current crisis.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain October 7, 2022 11:43 am
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Nicola Sturgeon says UK government is ‘undermining energy security’
Nicola Sturgeon has said she is concerned the UK government is “undermining energy security” in the long term.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, he said: “I’m concerned now that what we’re hearing from the UK government is just a continuation of their haphazard energy planning and, in the long term, what they’re doing it is undermining energy security instead of strengthening it”.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain October 7, 2022 11:17 am
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Truss decision to scrap energy saving campaign ‘dogmatic and dangerous’
On the Prime Minister’s decision to scrap an energy saving campaign, Will Hodson, consumer champion and founder of How To Save It, said: “Blocking a campaign that encourages households to use less energy is dogmatic and dangerous.
“Since the government has put the taxpayer on the hook for every unit of energy used in the country, they have a duty to help us use less. This abdication of responsibility certainly…