‘Carry on cooking’, despite fear of gas shortage

HOUSEHOLDS HAVE been told to “carry on cooking” despite National Grid issuing a gas deficit warning as fears mounted yesterday that extreme weather conditions across Britain could lead supplies to run empty and energy prices to skyrocket.

The power operator said the warning has been issued in response to a series of “significant supply losses resulting in a forecast end-of-day supply deficit”.

Household supplies are not expected to be affected but shortages could hit industrial users today as the Grid attempts to balance supply and demand.

It plans to do this by limiting industrial use and buying in more gas if necessary. But Energy Minister Claire Perry attempted to downplay the situation, insisting that National Grid was following “standard procedure”.

“I have spoken to National Grid this morning and we are in constant contact to monitor the gas supply throughout this extreme weather,” she said. “So do carry on using your gas heating and cooking meals as normal.”

According to National Grid’s forecast, there is a shortfall of about 50 million cubic metres.

Adding further fuel to the flames, British wholesale gas prices doubled for the second day in a row yesterday. It prompted commentators to speculate that household bills could soar.

Alex Neill, at Which?, said: “As the cold snap continues across the UK, households will be worried about any potential gas supply shortage and whether this will push up the price that many are already struggling to pay for their energy.”

Meanwhile, the beleaguered high street is braced for more pain amid warnings of a retail “disaster” due to the weather.

Experts believe that heavy snowfall bringing parts of Britain to a standstill will hit bricks and mortar retailers hard as shoppers go online instead.

Phil Dorrell, managing partner of Retail Remedy consultants, said: “It will be bad for the high street. Anything that takes footfall away from shops reduces spend, and pushes spend towards the internet. In the short term, it’s very much a disaster.”

The warning comes after a “Black Wednesday” for the high street when Toys RUs and Maplin crashed into administration, jeopardising over 5,000 jobs.

New Look and Prezzo are among other high street firms looking to close stores after Byron and Jamie’s Italian shut dozens of outlets earlier this year.