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No plan for energy saving campaign, minister says

The climate minister said the government will not launch a public information campaign on reducing household energy use this winter.

Ministers discussed a plan to promote energy saving at home.

But the minister, Graham Stuart, denied a report that Liz Truss had blocked the campaign and insisted the energy supply was secure.

Mr Stuart told the BBC the UK was in a “strong position” this winter despite a warning from National Grid of power cuts.

The National Grid’s warning of potential blackouts was based on a worst-case scenario of gas shortages should Europe’s energy crisis escalate.

The UK relies heavily on gas for electricity generation, with gas-fired power stations generating over 40% of the country’s electricity.

In the “unlikely” event that gas supplies run extremely low, homes and businesses in the UK could face planned three-hour blackouts, National Grid has said.

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Speaking on the BBC Breakfast, Mr Stuart said he was “confident that the Government has done everything in its power” to ensure there is no need for energy rationing this winter.

But he added: “We are making plans for all scenarios.”

During the Conservative campaign, Prime Minister Liz Truss promised there would be no energy rationing this winter.

Asked if she could guarantee there would be no blackouts, Ms Truss said on Thursday: “We have a good energy supply in the UK.”

The government says National Grid has drawn up plans to introduce a voluntary service to reward users who reduce demand at peak times.

The BBC understands the government is also considering plans to advise households to turn off their appliances and heating to save energy in winter.

But the Times newspaper reported that the Prime Minister rejected plans for a £15million public information campaign which has been endorsed by Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg.

It was reported that Ms Truss was allegedly “ideologically opposed” to the campaign, fearing it would be too interventionist.

Speaking to the Conservative Party conference this week, the Prime Minister said she would not tell people what to do.

In an interview with Sky News, Mr Stuart dismissed suggestions that Ms Truss had vetoed a proposed energy-saving campaign.

“So the idea that there was a sophisticated campaign that we were passionate about and killed the No 10 I don’t recognize,” Mr Stuart said. “I don’t think it was.”

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has caused turmoil and volatility in energy markets, driving up fuel bills and tightening global oil and gas supplies.

Ahead of winter, countries across Europe are scrambling to secure supplies as gas flow from Russia is restricted.

Since taking office, Ms Truss’ government has sought to improve energy security, with a ban on fracking for shale gas in England being lifted last month and a new licensing round for oil and gas exploration launched on Friday.

This comes after the government stepped in with an energy support package to help people with mounting bills.