PM’s bid to cut reliance on Moscow gas supply
BORIS Johnson is set to launch an “energy supply strategy” for Britain to reduce our dependence on Russian gas.
The Prime Minister admitted he “can’t shut off” reliance on Moscow’s fuels overnight but would look at drilling more oil and gas in the North Sea.
The UK’s reliance on Russian gas is just 3% with most coming from the North Sea and Norway, but we are not immune to soaring global market prices.
The knock-on impact on energy bills is expected be huge, with households already facing a cost of living squeeze.
Speaking after meeting Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and Dutch premier Mark Rutte, Mr Johnson denied his strategy would mean scrapping the UK’s net zero targets.
He said: “We have got to make sure we have substitute supply.
“One of the things we are looking at is the possibility of using more of our own hydrocarbons. That doesn’t mean we are in any way abandoning our commitment to reducing CO2, but we have got to reflect the reality there is a crunch on at the moment. We need to increase our self-reliance.”
Germany, the biggest buyer of Russian crude oil, rejected plans to ban energy import. But Chancellor Olaf Scholz said it is speeding up the planned expansion of its use of alternative energy.
Mr Johnson will meet his Eastern European counterparts in London today to discuss the humanitarian response to the Ukraine crisis. The Government has announced another £175million in aid, bringing the total to £400m.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has admitted Britain and its allies “took their eye off the ball” over Russia after the Cold War.
She said the West “essentially provided funding” for Moscow to boost its military by buying Kremlin oil and gas while slashing spending on its own armed forces.
We need to reflect the reality there is a crunch on MR JOHNSON ON THE GAS PRICE CRISIS
We have to make sure we have a substitute supply
BORIS JOHNSON ON THE NEED FOR SELF-RELIANCE