LONDON (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Following objections raised by the prime minister’s office, the government ultimately decided against launching a public information campaign on reduced use of energy this winter, as BBC is informed.
A source said there is a fairly well-developed plan to promote energy conservation in homes.
Graham Stuart, the Climate minister, denied a Times report stating that Downing Street had stopped a campaign.
Despite a National Grid warning of blackouts, he said UK energy was secure.
Its warning about potential power outages was predicated on the worst-case scenario of gas shortages should the European energy crisis worsen.
In order to save energy whenever possible this winter, the Department of Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) was considering ideas to persuade households to turn off their heating and appliances.
However, the PM’s office and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) objected, according to information provided to the BBC, and the department was unable to move forward with the idea.
Sources from the DHSC stated that they did not think they had a specific say in any decisions, but they did suggest that there may be general “concern about the elderly being afraid to turn on their heating.”
The Times reported that Downing Street intervened on Thursday after National Grid delivered its warning.
Over 40% of the electricity in the UK is produced by gas-fired power plants, which are largely dependent on the fuel.
National Grid said businesses and homes in the UK may experience three-hour planned blackouts in the “unlikely” event that gas supplies become critically low.
The government believes National Grid has developed plans to provide a voluntary service to reward customers who lower usage during peak hours.
Mr. Stuart said during an appearance on BBC Breakfast that he was “confident the government has done everything in its power” to prevent the need for energy rationing this winter.
But they made plans for all situations, he said.
Prime Minister Liz Truss promised there would not be energy rationing this winter during the Conservative leadership campaign.
When asked if she could promise there wouldn’t be any blackouts on Thursday, Ms. Truss responded, “We do have a good supply of energy in the UK”.
There weren’t any plans for the government to advise the people to cut back on usage in order to preserve their energy supplies, BEIS said in a statement.
The UK had a diverse and secure energy system.They were convinced that the measures they were taking would ensure the security of electricity and gas supply, the statement said.Â
When prompted for comment, Mr. Stuart said there had been talks inside BEIS but gave confirmation that there would not be a government-led initiative to encourage consumers to cut usage. “It has been decided that there will not be a campaign” he said.
Mr. Stuart further denied that the PM’s team had planned and then blocked a well-developed campaign.
