The Liberal Democrats have called on the UK Government and the
energy regulator Ofgem to ban Russian oil and gas company Gazprom
from supplying energy to UK businesses.
The company is licensed by the energy regulator Ofgem to supply
gas and electricity to UK businesses - including schools,
hospitals and local authorities.
Liberal Democrats peer today asked Government
ministers in the House of Lords if they are planning to rescind
Gazprom’s supply licence and to place the Gazprom supplier into
“special administration”, in effect nationalising the company.
This process was used to protect the customers of Bulb Energy,
when the company collapsed last year.
Liberal Democrats have also called for a Windfall Tax on oil and
gas companies, including Gazprom’s trading arm, which issued a
£179 million dividend following the spike in gas prices. This tax
would then be used to support vulnerable people and businesses
struggling with rising prices.
Liberal Democrat leader, said:
“Our hospitals, schools and councils could be inadvertently
helping expand Putin’s war chest if they’re locked into a
long-term contract with Gazprom.
“Liberal Democrats are calling on the government and Ofgem to end
Gazprom’s ability to supply UK businesses while protecting them
from price shocks by taking it into special administration.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
A full version of the exchanges in the Lords will be sent out
later.
Lord ' question, and the Minister's
answer, can be found here: https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/b27d2dd7-3e3a-4dda-8f0a-4bcb792181d0?in=11:37:47
GAZPROM MARKETING & TRADING RETAIL LIMITED is licensed by
Ofgem as supplier of gas and electricity to non-domestic
customers.
Gazprom Energy is the UK arm of Gazprom and is the largest non-domestic gas
supplier in the UK, with a 22% market share, supplying over
175,000 gas meters. The company has a much smaller share of the
electricity market, with just a 0.6% market share.
