{"id":1174625,"date":"2026-08-28T18:46:40","date_gmt":"2026-08-28T18:46:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1174625\/"},"modified":"2026-08-28T18:46:40","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T18:46:40","slug":"rationing-and-work-closures-what-happens-if-the-uk-runs-out-of-gas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1174625\/","title":{"rendered":"Rationing and work closures – what happens if the UK runs out of gas"},"content":{"rendered":"

The UK is heading into winter<\/a> with the lowest level of gas<\/a> stores since records began, prompting fears that there could be shortages as demand increases during the colder months.<\/p>\n

Chris O\u2019Shea, the head of British Gas<\/a>\u2018s parent company Centrica \u2013 which also runs Britain\u2019s largest storage facility \u2013 said it should be a \u201chuge concern\u201d<\/a> that the country has \u201calmost no gas storage<\/a>\u201c.<\/p>\n

Britain\u2019s gas stores are at 30 per cent capacity this week, compared to 46 per cent this time last year and 90 per cent two years ago.<\/p>\n

This comes as energy prices<\/a> are due to rise by 4 per cent from October but may increase even further next year unless the war in Iran<\/a> is resolved.<\/p>\n

Experts told The i Paper that while the UK is some way off running out of fuel, the knock-on effects of global markets as a result of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz<\/a> have left the country more vulnerable than ever.<\/p>\n

This autumn, the Network Emergency Co-ordinator will test various scenarios that could take place if there is a gas crisis, including rationing, although that would be a worst-case event.<\/p>\n

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The latest as extra police deployed to Middlesbrough<\/p>\n

Hundreds of extra police officers have been drafted in after a series of deadly incidents in Middlesbrough.<\/p>\n

\"PoliceCaption: Police officers at the scene on Birchington Avenue, Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, where Valentina Foster, aged seven, and Natalie McDonald, 34, died following a fire at an end-of-terrace property on Wednesday morning. Police are not ruling out a possible link between the fatal house fire and a crash on the A66 less than two miles away that killed seven people. Picture date: Thursday August 27, 2026. PA Photo. Cleveland Police said two men, aged 23 and 31, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and they remain in police custody following the fire. Photo credit should read: Owen Humphreys\/PA Wire
Photographer: Owen Humphreys
Provider: Owen Humphreys\/PA Wire
Source: PA
Copyright: pa media<\/p>\n

Series of violent incidents<\/p>\n

A spate of violent incidents has occurred in Middlesbrough in recent days:<\/p>\n