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Brown warning over energy bills Brown warning over energy bills
(30 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has urged energy firms to reduce petrol prices and household fuel bills to reflect the sharp fall in global oil prices in recent weeks.Gordon Brown has urged energy firms to reduce petrol prices and household fuel bills to reflect the sharp fall in global oil prices in recent weeks.
The prime minister said some petrol retailers had cut prices in recent days but others must now follow, he added.The prime minister said some petrol retailers had cut prices in recent days but others must now follow, he added.
Mr Brown also called for substantial extra support for countries worst hit by the global credit crisis.Mr Brown also called for substantial extra support for countries worst hit by the global credit crisis.
The PM will travel to Paris later to discuss the financial crisis with French president Nicolas Sarkozy.The PM will travel to Paris later to discuss the financial crisis with French president Nicolas Sarkozy.
'Crisis''Crisis'
Major oil producers in the Middle East and Asia should contribute more to the International Monetary Fund's $250bn "bailout fund" to prevent the risk of the global downturn destabilising more countries, Mr Brown said.Major oil producers in the Middle East and Asia should contribute more to the International Monetary Fund's $250bn "bailout fund" to prevent the risk of the global downturn destabilising more countries, Mr Brown said.
Iceland, Pakistan, Ukraine and Hungary have all requested emergency loans from the IMF in recent days.Iceland, Pakistan, Ukraine and Hungary have all requested emergency loans from the IMF in recent days.
It is every nation's interest that financial contagion does not spread Gordon Brown It is in every nation's interest that financial contagion does not spread Gordon Brown
"We need this for the crisis we face now," Mr Brown said. "We need this for the crisis we face now," Mr Brown said of his call for extra financial assistance.
"It is every nation's interest that financial contagion does not spread." "It is in every nation's interest that financial contagion does not spread."
Mr Brown did not rule out the UK providing extra help but said the emphasis would be on the largest oil producers and confirmed he would be travelling to the Gulf region on Saturday to press his case.Mr Brown did not rule out the UK providing extra help but said the emphasis would be on the largest oil producers and confirmed he would be travelling to the Gulf region on Saturday to press his case.
Mr Brown also said he was "determined" to see petrol prices come down across the board to reflect the fall in global energy prices.Mr Brown also said he was "determined" to see petrol prices come down across the board to reflect the fall in global energy prices.
Unions and Labour MPs have called for a windfall tax on energy firms' profits. BP said on Tuesday that it made a £6.4bn profit in the three months to the end of September as oil prices soared, sparking renewed calls for a windfall tax on the profits on energy firms.
'Price benefits' Tony Woodley, general secretary of the Unite union, compared energy firms to "pigs in a trough" and said a windfall tax was justified to help millions of people struggling to heat their homes this winter.
BP revealed on Tuesday that it made a £6.4bn profit in the three months to the end of September as oil prices soared. The government has rejected the idea of a windfall tax, saying it would deter investment in new energy sources, although the prime minister's spokesman said earlier that the Treasury and regulator Ofgem were monitoring utility prices closely.
The government has rejected the idea of a windfall tax although the prime minister's spokesman said earlier that the Treasury and regulator Ofgem were monitoring utility prices closely. Shadow chancellor George Osborne said it would be a "scandal" if BP did not swiftly cut pump prices while the Lib Dems said the news would be a "bitter pill" for families struggling to cope with higher bills this winter.
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond called on ministers to scrap VAT on fuel bills and to raise the winter fuel allowance for pensioners to stop rising costs "driving people into fuel poverty".
French talks
Mr Brown will hold talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris later about Europe's response to the global financial crisis.Mr Brown will hold talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris later about Europe's response to the global financial crisis.
He is looking to build support among other European leaders for his plan to reform global financial institutions and regulation.He is looking to build support among other European leaders for his plan to reform global financial institutions and regulation.
Mr Brown will meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday ahead of a summit of EU leaders next week.Mr Brown will meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday ahead of a summit of EU leaders next week.
Financial reforms Gordon Brown wants the EU to take a lead in global financial reform
Mr Brown has won plaudits in Europe for his rescue plan for the banking system.Mr Brown has won plaudits in Europe for his rescue plan for the banking system.
However, differences are still likely to arise between him and Mr Sarkozy over the role the EU should play in dealing with the crisis.However, differences are still likely to arise between him and Mr Sarkozy over the role the EU should play in dealing with the crisis.
France, which holds the EU presidency, has raised the idea of EU members setting up their own sovereign wealth funds to invest in strategically important industries and to act as a catalyst to Europe's faltering economy.France, which holds the EU presidency, has raised the idea of EU members setting up their own sovereign wealth funds to invest in strategically important industries and to act as a catalyst to Europe's faltering economy.
Gordon Brown wants the EU to take a lead in global financial reform
Reports have suggested that several EU members, most notably Germany, are opposed to the idea.Reports have suggested that several EU members, most notably Germany, are opposed to the idea.
Mr Brown wants Europe to take the lead in pursuing comprehensive reform of financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and credit ratings agencies.Mr Brown wants Europe to take the lead in pursuing comprehensive reform of financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and credit ratings agencies.
He has also been at the forefront of calls for a co-ordinated global approach to financial regulation and an "early warning system" to prevent a repeat of the credit crunch.He has also been at the forefront of calls for a co-ordinated global approach to financial regulation and an "early warning system" to prevent a repeat of the credit crunch.
The two leaders are seeking to agree a common position ahead of the EU summit on 7 November, itself a precursor to a meeting of world leaders in Washington about the financial situation a week later.The two leaders are seeking to agree a common position ahead of the EU summit on 7 November, itself a precursor to a meeting of world leaders in Washington about the financial situation a week later.