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No plan for energy saving campaign, minister says No energy saving campaign after Downing Street objects
(about 1 hour later)
The climate minister has said the government will not be launching a public information campaign on reducing household energy use this winter. The government has decided not to launch a public information campaign on reducing energy use this winter after the prime minister's office raised objections, the BBC has been told.
Ministers were discussing a plan to encourage energy saving at home. A source said there was a "reasonably well-developed plan" to encourage household energy saving.
But the minister, Graham Stuart, denied a report that Liz Truss had blocked the campaign and insisted energy supplies were secure. But Climate Minister Graham Stuart denied a campaign had been prepared and was then blocked by the PM.
Mr Stuart told the BBC the UK was in a "strong position" this winter despite a National Grid warning of blackouts. He said UK energy was secure despite a National Grid warning of blackouts.
The National Grid's warning of possible power cuts was based on a worst-case scenario of gas shortages if the energy crisis in Europe escalates.The National Grid's warning of possible power cuts was based on a worst-case scenario of gas shortages if the energy crisis in Europe escalates.
The UK is heavily reliant on gas to produce electricity, with gas-fired power stations generating more than 40% of the country's electricity.The UK is heavily reliant on gas to produce electricity, with gas-fired power stations generating more than 40% of the country's electricity.
In the "unlikely" event that gas supplies ran extremely low, homes and businesses in the UK could face three-hour planned blackouts, National Grid said.In the "unlikely" event that gas supplies ran extremely low, homes and businesses in the UK could face three-hour planned blackouts, National Grid said.
National Grid warns of power cuts in worst-case scenarioNational Grid warns of power cuts in worst-case scenario
UK's winter gas supplies are at 'significant risk'UK's winter gas supplies are at 'significant risk'
How can the world cope without Russian oil and gas?How can the world cope without Russian oil and gas?
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Mr Stuart said he was "confident the government has done everything in its power" to make sure energy rationing would not be necessary this winter.Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Mr Stuart said he was "confident the government has done everything in its power" to make sure energy rationing would not be necessary this winter.
But he added: "We make plans for all scenarios."But he added: "We make plans for all scenarios."
During the Conservative leadership campaign, Prime Minister Liz Truss pledged there would be no energy rationing this winter.During the Conservative leadership campaign, Prime Minister Liz Truss pledged there would be no energy rationing this winter.
On Thursday, when asked if she could guarantee there would be no blackouts, Ms Truss said: "We do have a good supply of energy in the UK."On Thursday, when asked if she could guarantee there would be no blackouts, Ms Truss said: "We do have a good supply of energy in the UK."
The government says National Grid has drawn up plans to launch a voluntary service to reward users who reduce demand at peak times.The government says National Grid has drawn up plans to launch a voluntary service to reward users who reduce demand at peak times.
The BBC understands the government was also considering plans to advise households to switch off their appliances and heating to conserve energy during winter. The BBC understands the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) was also considering plans to advise households to switch off their appliances and heating to conserve energy whenever possible during winter.
But the Times newspaper reported that the prime minister rejected plans for a £15m public information campaign, which was signed off by the business secretary, Jacob Rees-Mogg. However, the BBC has been told that the department was stopped from taking the plan forward because of objections from the prime minister's office and the Department of Health and Social Care.
It reported that Ms Truss was said to be "ideologically opposed" to the campaign amid concerns it would be too interventionist. In a statement, BEIS said: "There are no plans for the government to tell the public to reduce usage for the sake of our energy supplies.
In her speech to the Conservative Party conference this week, the prime minister said she would not tell people what to do. "The UK has a secure and diverse energy system and we are confident that the steps we are taking will protect security of electricity and gas supplies."
In an interview with Sky News, Mr Stuart, dismissed suggestions that Ms Truss had vetoed a planned campaign on energy savings. When asked to comment, Mr Stuart indicated there had been discussions within BEIS, but confirmed there would not be a government-led effort to get people to reduce usage, saying "it has been decided that there will not be a campaign".
"So the idea that there was some highly developed campaign that we were passionately devoted to and No 10 nixed it, I don't recognise that," Mr Stuart said. "I don't think that's the way it was." Mr Stuart also denied that a well-developed campaign had been prepared and then blocked by the prime minister's team.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has caused turmoil and volatility in the energy markets, sending fuel bills rocketing., and tightening supplies of oil and gas globally. The Times newspaper had reported that the prime minister had rejected plans for a £15m public information campaign, which was signed off by the business secretary, Jacob Rees-Mogg.
It suggested Ms Truss was "ideologically opposed" to the campaign amid concerns it would be too interventionist.
In her speech to the Conservative Party conference on Wednesday, the prime minister said she would not tell people what to do.
In a tweet, Conservative MP Guy Opperman said he would he "fully behind" an energy saving campaign that would help people and the taxpayer save money.
"This is not Nanny state," he wrote, arguing it was about "preserving supply, saving money for everyone, and encouraging localism".
Why is there no public information campaign to urge energy saving in the UK when European countries are acting to curb use?
I understand the Department for Business has worked "for a long time" on a plan for a campaign, but it has been told not to go ahead. To the question "who stopped it?", I was told "Number 10 and the Department of Health".
This week Ms Truss told her party conference her Conservatism was about "freedom".
"I'm not going to tell you what to do, or what to think or how to live your life," she said.
And from the Department of Health, I've been told "there is concern about the elderly being afraid to turn on their heating".
Some question whether a campaign is needed. Many people are already changing their behaviour, saving energy where they can. And there is general advice on energy saving of course.
But those preparing the idea of a campaign that could have saved people energy and money don't understand the logic of blocking it. "Slightly mystifying," they say.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has caused turmoil and volatility in the energy markets, sending fuel bills rocketing, and tightening supplies of oil and gas globally.
Ahead of winter countries across Europe are scrambling to shore up supplies, as gas flows from Russia are restricted.Ahead of winter countries across Europe are scrambling to shore up supplies, as gas flows from Russia are restricted.
Since taking office Ms Truss's government has been seeking to boost energy security, with a ban on fracking for shale gas in England lifted last month, and a new oil and gas exploration licensing round launched on Friday.Since taking office Ms Truss's government has been seeking to boost energy security, with a ban on fracking for shale gas in England lifted last month, and a new oil and gas exploration licensing round launched on Friday.
This comes after government stepped in with an energy support package to help people with soaring bills.This comes after government stepped in with an energy support package to help people with soaring bills.