Starmer slams Conservative failure to secure gas storage prior to energy crisis
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Keir Starmer today called out the Conservative Government’s failure
to secure the UK's domestic gas storage capacity, as the latest
data reveals that the UK is second last of the European league
table of gas storage. Visiting the Rough offshore platform in the
North Sea, Starmer will say that the decision to let Rough, the
UK's only large scale gas storage facility, close in 2017 has
undermined the UK's preparedness for the global rise in energy
costs seen throughout 2021,...Request free trial
Keir Starmer today called out the Conservative Government’s failure to secure the UK's domestic gas storage capacity, as the latest data reveals that the UK is second last of the European league table of gas storage. Visiting the Rough offshore platform in the North Sea, Starmer will say that the decision to let Rough, the UK's only large scale gas storage facility, close in 2017 has undermined the UK's preparedness for the global rise in energy costs seen throughout 2021, and that working people are paying the cost for the Government’s failures. According to the European Gas Storage Inventory, the UK had the second lowest amount of gas in storage per capita in Europe in November 2021. The UK’s stores hold enough gas to meet the demand of four to five winter days, or just 1% of Europe’s total available storage. In 2017 the Government allowed the UK’s last large-scale gas storage facility at Rough to close, despite serious warnings from energy experts, businesses, trade unions, and the Labour Party that a lack of gas storage was undermining the UK's domestic energy security. In September 2021, the Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng dismissed concerns about the UK’s lack of gas storage as “not relevant”. With global gas prices rising to record highs in late 2021, Keir Starmer accuses the Government of failing to prepare for the worst of this crisis and leaving working people facing higher energy bills.
“We’re facing a winter cost of living crisis, and gas prices for every household are going up. “The Government’s failure to secure our gas storage has undermined our energy security and has left us exposed to global prices. This is another example of broken promises from this Prime Minister, being felt in the pockets of working people. “His failure to get a grip is not only costing people now, but it’s hindering the strength of our future economy. The Conservative government’s limited commitment to hydrogen, a pivotal pillar in our transition to net zero, is no more than a drop in the ocean when compared to our neighbours. Their dither and delay is costing us jobs. “We need real action to secure our energy system now and in the future. Labour will invest at scale in the green transition to create jobs and prioritise our energy security.” Ends Notes:
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