Boris Johnson news: government “does not expect” energy emergency this winter

Four former prime ministers have turned down invitations to a centennial dinner at Checkers, leaving Boris Johnson only able to welcome Theresa May into her countryside retreat.

Mr Johnson had wished that a rare gathering of all the surviving occupants of No.10 Downing Street would mark 100 years since a British leader enjoyed his stay in the lavish Buckinghamshire country house.

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Leading Tory MPs have “the right to voice serious concerns” over the government’s plans to cut universal credit by £ 20 a week, a charity official said.

Dan Paskins, UK Impact director at Save the Children, on Saturday urged ministers to rethink the decision and maintain the increase, which was first introduced for the coronavirus pandemic.

“We know that almost half (47%) of people on universal credit – or nearly 3 million applicants – say they don’t think they can live on a family budget that is £ 20 a week less,” said M. says Paskins.

“Senior Conservative MPs, including Universal Credit architect Iain Duncan Smith, are right to express serious concerns and give the British government the opportunity to rethink this decision in a vote in the House of Commons on Monday.

“A decision to maintain this increase could prevent an additional 200,000 children from falling into poverty. “

He added: “There is still time for the UK government to do the right thing and keep the lifeline.”

Senior Tories, including former ministers Sir Iain and Damian Green, on Friday launched a final attempt to block the cut by tabling an amendment to the annual pension increase.

People living on the poverty line will be forced to choose between heating and eating this winter due to a “triple whammy” in the cost of living, experts have warned.

Annual gas and electricity bills are set to climb up to £ 280 after the wholesale energy prices spike, while the end of the holiday scheme and the increase in universal credit risk creating a crisis in the economy. quality of life.

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Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng insisted the government “does not expect” gas supply emergencies this winter amid concerns over rising wholesale gas prices.

“Today I will be speaking with the managing directors of the UK’s largest energy suppliers and operators to discuss the global gas situation,” Kwarteng wrote on Twitter.

“Britain has a diverse range of gas supply sources, with sufficient capacity to more than meet demand.

“We don’t expect supply emergencies this winter.”

It is understood that Mr. Kwarteng has meetings on Saturday morning and Saturday afternoon with senior executives from Ofgem, Centrica, National Grid, Energy UK, Octopus, Ovo, SSE, EDF, ScottishPower, Shell Energy, E.ON, Bulb and SGN.

Australia’s surprise cancellation of a major submarine contract with France in favor of an agreement with the UK and the US is a “huge mistake”, the French ambassador said in the country.

“It was a huge mistake, a very, very mismanagement of the partnership,” French envoy Jean-Pierre Thebault said on Saturday as he left his residence in the capital Canberra.

He added that the arms deal between Paris and Canberra was supposed to be based “on trust, mutual understanding and sincerity”.

The agreement cancels a 90 billion Australian dollars contract with Naval Group, majority owned by the French state, signed in 2016, for the construction of 12 conventional diesel-electric submarines.

“I wish I could run into a time machine and be in a situation where we don’t find ourselves in such an incredible, awkward, inadequate and un-Australian situation,” Thebault said of the row.

The French ambassador previously said he found out about the new submarine deal from the Australian press, as French officials were not told of any “substantial changes” before the public announcement.

Earlier today, the United States insisted that France was a “vital ally” after Paris recalled its ambassadors to the United States and Australia following the decision to form a new strategic alliance (AUKUS ) for an Indo-Pacific security agreement.

“France is a vital partner and our longest-standing ally, and we place the highest value on our relationship,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement, adding that Washington hoped to have discussions on the matter at a higher level in the coming months. days.

Meanwhile, National Security Council spokesperson Emily Horne said the Biden administration had been in close contact with French officials during the dispute.

“We understand their position and will continue to engage in the coming days to resolve our differences, as we have done at other times during our long alliance,” Ms. Horne said in a statement.

“France is our oldest ally and one of our strongest partners, and we share a long history of shared democratic values ​​and a commitment to work together to address global challenges.”

Ministers are urged by meat producers to step in to protect the food supply chain following a sharp increase in gas prices that has resulted in a reduction in the supply of carbon dioxide (CO2) to the industry.

Two large fertilizer factories in Teesside and Cheshire – which produce CO2 as a by-product – have closed due to the sudden rise in wholesale gas prices.

The chief executive of the British Meat Processors Association warned on Saturday that the gas was essential both for the humane slaughter of livestock and for extending the shelf life of products.

“If we don’t have the CO2 supplies, on the packaging side which is reducing the shelf life of products put on the shelves at a time when we are really struggling because of all the transportation issues,” said Nick Allen at BBC Radio 4 Today spectacle.

“It was a huge shock, it happened so quickly. I think everyone in the industry is outraged that these fertilizer factories can shut down without any warning and suddenly take something that is so essential to the food supply chain just like that.

Mr Allen added: “We really need the government to step in now and do something.”

The UK is set to face high energy prices for the rest of the year following a sharp rise in wholesale gas prices, a former chief of regulator Ofgem has warned.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng is speaking with industry representatives today on the issue.

Dermot Nolan, a former chief executive of Ofgem, told BBC Radio 4 Today show that the increases are the result of depleted stocks following a cold winter last winter, reduced supply from Russia and increased demand for liquefied natural gas from the Far East.

“What can be done in the very short term is not obvious to me,” Nolan warned.

“Britain has a relatively diverse and secure source of gas, so I think the lights will stay on.

“But I am concerned that it is likely, in my opinion, that high gas and electricity prices will continue over the next three to four months.”

He added: “It is very difficult to see what the government can do directly in this regard. “