kwasi kwarteng was there as friends. kwasi kwarteng was there as well— as friends.a cabinet role. the point — as well but not in a cabinet role. the point being made by the mirror is that— the point being made by the mirror is that priti — the point being made by the mirror is that priti patel did a similar thing — is that priti patel did a similar thing in — is that priti patel did a similar thing in 2017 when she was international development secretary in that— international development secretary in that later her resignation when theresa _ in that later her resignation when theresa may was minister. she was due to _ theresa may was minister. she was due to he _ theresa may was minister. she was due to be meeting israeli officials. a spokesperson has said for priti patel, all relevant external meetings will be published in accordance with the ministerial code. before the next story, what are your thoughts on this? that says all relevant — are your thoughts on this? that says all relevant external _ are your thoughts on this? that says all relevant external meeting

well, you know, what i would like to see, and kwasi kwarteng. and facing the issue head on and providing some kind of assurance that he understands the gravity of the situation and has a plan in place with his cabinet colleagues to deal with it. i don't think that talking about leaders of business worldwide and that strange energy he made today in new york about frozen pipes and problems that happen when the deep freeze starts to thaw, is helping anyone. people want to know helping anyone. people want to know he is take it seriously and he has a plan. a friend reminded me today that there are 96 days left until christmas, heaven help us! the conditions people are going to go through in the next few months, worrying about whether they will be able to get their loved ones around able to get their loved ones around a table in a house that is properly warm, with food on the table, before we talk about food shortages. we need boris to face it head on. i new need boris to face it head on. i now feel every day _ need boris to face it head on. i now fee

the business secretary, kwasi kwarteng, says protecting customers during a time of heightened globalces is an �*absolute priority�* for the government. ministers have been holding urgent talks with representatives of the energy industry today — and more discussions about the way forward will take place on monday. there are some warnings the increased costs — already affecting some businesses — could also mean higher bills for domestic consumers. it's understood that four small energy companies are set to go bust next week. strong global demand is one of the reasons prices are at record highs. emma pinchbeck is the chief executive of energy uk and earlier she explained what customers can do if they have concerns. what is clear is that there are record—breaking prices at the moment having an impact on the industry. there are processes in place so that if anyone ends up impacted by this, their supplierfails or if anyone ends up impacted by this, their supplier fails or indeed they are struggling to pay their energy bill there is support in place for customers but also the government is

kwasi kwarteng, thank ou wanted to pursue. kwasi kwarteng, thank you very _ wanted to pursue.ayers because they will go into that bubble environment in pakistan in the world cup going forward. it is tricky. i think pakistan will be utterly disappointed because they were here last summer, when england needed them, but england seemingly not going to reciprocate. international relation issues. _ going to reciprocate. international relation issues. a _ going to reciprocate. international relation issues. a diplomatic- going to reciprocate. international relation issues. a diplomatic row, | relation issues. a diplomatic row, es. england abandoning their plans to travel to pakistan days after new zealand pulled out of their tour because of a specific and credible threat. no suggestion of a security issue for the ecb, who said whilst travel to the region was a concern it was to protect the mental and physical wellbeing of the players who faced living in a strict bubble environment. england women have never played there, the men returning for the first time since 2005, were using the

the uk business secretary, kwasi kwarteng, says protecting customers is an �*absolute priority�* fore's our business correspondent, katy austin. gas is a key source of the energy that heats our homes and powers our industries. since the start of the year, wholesale prices have soared, almost doubling in the uk, prompting the government to hold urgent talks with the energy industry today. reasons for the increase include lower wind and solar output, high demand, and reduced supply from russia. the unprecedented costs are already taking their toll — four small energy suppliers have recently gone bust with more set to follow as soon as next week. the conversations with government right now are about where we may or may not need additional targeted support for customers or users. the industrial sector is, obviously, a really high priority. steelmakers, which need a lot of energy, are worried. if they're at this price now, what's it going to be like in the winter? if it carried on like this, i'm fearful, notjust for the steel sector but all energy intensive sectors, and then downstream op

the business secretary, kwasi kwarteng, says protecting customers during a time of heightened globaln �*absolute priority�* for the government. ministers have been holding urgent talks with representatives of the energy industry today — and more discussions about the way forward will take place on monday. there are some warnings the increased costs already affecting some businesses, could also mean higher bills for domestic consumers. it�*s understood that four small energy companies are set to go bust next week. strong global demand is one of the reasons prices are at record highs. here�*s our business correspondent, katy austin. gas is a key source of the energy that heats our homes and powers our industries. since the start of the year, wholesale prices have soared, almost doubling in the uk, prompting the government to hold urgent talks with the energy industry today. reasons for the increase include lower wind and solar output, high demand, and reduced supply from russia. the conversations from the government this week are how we get to a short—term crisis, and then how we can t

able to pass on increasing wholesale costs to customers, which is why a lot are going bust, but kwasi kwartengave discussed this a lot in the business _ to go. and we have discussed this a lot in the business world, _ to go. and we have discussed this a lot in the business world, that - to go. and we have discussed this a lot in the business world, that all. lot in the business world, that all of these new smaller energy companies were designed to give competition to the so—called big six that had dominated the market for so long in the idea was that they would shakeit long in the idea was that they would shake it up and give consumers a choice. are we getting to a situation by the end of this year that the big six are the only ones that the big six are the only ones that remain? tide that the big six are the only ones that remain?— that the big six are the only ones that remain? we could get back to that remain? we could get back to that ioint. that remain? we could get back to that point. and _ that remain? we could get back to that point. and the _ that remain? we could get back to that poi

the uk business secretary, kwasi kwarteng, says protecting customers is an absolute priority for thes our homes and powers our industries. since the start of the year, wholesale prices have soared, almost doubling in the uk, prompting the government to hold urgent talks with the energy industry today. reasons for the increase include lower wind and solar generation, high demand and reduce supply from russia. the unprecedented costs are already taking their toll. four smaller energy suppliers have recently gone bust, with more expected to follow as soon as next week. the more expected to follow as soon as next week-— as next week. the conversations riaht now as next week. the conversations right now with — as next week. the conversations right now with government - as next week. the conversations right now with government are l right now with government are about whether we may or may not need official support for customers and users. the industrial sector is obviously a really high priority. steelmakers, which need a lot of energy, i worried. it steelmakers, which need a lot of energ

the business secretary, kwasi kwarteng, will be talking to gas producers, the national grid, suppliers the regulator ofgem. it's predicted the typical gas and electricity customer is likely to see their bill go up by £139 from october. the high gas prices have already led two large uk fertiliser plants to close — that's important because they produce carbon dioxide, a key element of the meat production process — leading to concerns about food supplies. i've been speaking to our political correspondent, peter saull. lots of high—level meetings. 20, i'm told, one on one chats, that the business secretary kwasi kwarteng is going to have with energy suppliers both large and small, the operators ofgem too. weather for example smaller suppliers will be able to absorb the soaring costs of this gas. i should stress this is a global issue with global gas prices soaring, largely because of an increase in demand, but also problems with maintenance of some gas facilities around the world. in terms of preserving food and packaging, but also on the meet side of things as well, carbon dioxide is used

the business secretary kwasi kwarteng says he will meet with industry figures to plan a way forward.as prices have soared include high demand and lower wind and solar generation. the business secretary held urgent meetings with energy companies yesterday. the high prices have already pushed some small suppliers to the wall, and there's concern more will follow as soon as next week. we're seeing the record—breaking price of international gas, that does feed through to the market and we've already seen full supply failures in recent weeks, partly as a consequence of that and partly, as with other features of our market, it's difficult to tell whether there will be any more. the rising cost is a worry for steelmakers, which need a lot of energy. another knock—on effect is a shortage of carbon dioxide. it's a by—product when fertiliser is produced, and two large uk plants which make it have closed. the owner of one large poultry group, which includes bernard matthews, called the carbon dioxide issue a massive body blow. it's used by meat producers, including in the packaging process. we

{lit action needed —— kwasi kwarteng. that, he is not going _ course, he would say that, he is not going to _ course, he would say that, he is not going to turn — course, he would say that, he is not going to turn around and say domestic_ going to turn around and say domestic users of gas is doomed, that would — domestic users of gas is doomed, that would be highly unlikely, but he is _ that would be highly unlikely, but he is doing what he can because actually— he is doing what he can because actually the lever is my relatively limited _ actually the lever is my relatively limited and in a way it is not so much _ limited and in a way it is not so much about— limited and in a way it is not so much about the issue now over the next couple — much about the issue now over the next couple of weeks, it is about the issue — next couple of weeks, it is about the issue as we go into winter because — the issue as we go into winter because as the temperature for awesome — because as the temperature for awesome and a lot of people s

the business secretary, kwasi kwarteng, will be talking to gas producers, the national grid, suppliers the regulator ofgem. it's predicted the typical gas and electricity customer is likely to see their bill go up by £139 from october. the high gas prices have already led two large uk fertiliser plants to close — that's important because they produce carbon dioxide, a key element of the meat production process — leading to concerns about food supplies. our political correspondent, peter saull, is here. what is going on this weekend? victoria, lots of high—level meetings, 21—on—1 chats that the business secretary kwasi kwarteng is going to have with energy suppliers, both large and small, and the operators, ofgem, to try to get to the bottom of how big an impact this is having on the market, what impact it might have on household bills as well and whether for example smaller suppliers might be able to absorb these soaring costs of wholesale gas. but as you say there is this knock—on effect we are starting to see now affecting large parts of the economy, the closure of those two fertilis

kwasi kwarteng said he does "not expect supply emergencies." caused by a massive rise in wholesale gas prices. england have cancelled the upcoming men's and women's cricket tours of pakistan days after new zealand abandoned their series over security concerns. both teams were due to play pakistan in two twenty20 internationals next month, with the women additionally playing three one—day internationals, all in rawalpindi. still to come a bit later in the programme — a special report on the issues dominating this weekend's general election in the european powerhouse germany. but first, on the spanish island of la palma, part of the canary islands, thousands of people have been moved from their homes. about 100 homes have been destroyed and flights have been cancelled after a volcano erupted yesterday. the flow of lava, 15 metres high in places, destroyed everything in its path. it's the first time in a half—century that the cumbre vieja volcano has erupted. 0ur correspondent danjohnson is on la palma with the latest. homes that once enjoyed view

shortages" on account of supply chain issues says the independent, but quotes the business secretary, kwasi kwartengg there's no cause for immediate concern. that's below its picture story that london fashion week returns in style. the sunday telegraph says the new foreign secretary, liz truss, has waded into a diplomatic row over britain's new security pact with the us and australia by insisting that "freedoms need to be defended". the paper also comments on strictly "moving with the times" with a picture of its first male same—sex pairing. boris bid to level up the world, is the sunday express�*s take on the prime minister flying out to new york tomorrow to make a speech at the united nations. the times focuses on the house of commons, speaker's anger as extremists terrorise female labour mp. rosie duffield by forcing her to pull out of the labour party conference. that's alongside what the paper reports as hopes of a "cure" of an aggressive form of breast cancer. the mail on sunday says mps are demanding to know why the bbc failed to properly search for clothing belonging to murdered schoolgirl,

kwasi kwarteng added that he hoped to have a "very clear plan" to get co2 production back up and runningoliticians have expressed concern, with labour describing the problems as a crisis that "should have been foreseen". jon donnison reports. the government insists there is no question of the lights going out this winter, but as energy prices soar, some are worried. my bills are already at breaking point, and then going into the winter, i've got a daughter and, obviously, myself, and it's a worry, it's a real big worry. the only way to sort of... you know, we are going to have to heat the house, because we can't be cold, so we are going to have to basically cut back on food. and food supply issues will be be on the agenda when the government meets with the food and drink federation later today. the huge spike in energy prices means co2 gas suppliers have shut down production. the soft drinks association now says they only have a few days supply of carbon dioxide left. and meat producers have warned of price rises within the week, if slaughterhouses can't get enough access to c02. high de

kwasi kwarteng said customers would be protected if more energy companies went out of business and hewas no prospect of an energy supply emergency this winter. the growing crisis has been caused by a massive rise in the wholesale prices, paid by the energy companies. the food and drinks industry is also warning that one of the knock—on effects of the situation will be more shortages in the shops. our business editor simonjack reports. the uk energy sector is in crisis. dozens of small energy providers have already gone bust, and dozens more are not expected to make it through winter, as soaring energy prices leave many unable to deliver on price promises made to millions of customers who were encouraged to look for the best deals. secretary of state. in the commons today, the business secretary sought to reassure customers ahead of winter. we have sufficient capacity, and more than sufficient capacity to meet demand, and we do not expect supply emergencies to occur this winter. there is absolutely no question, mr speaker, of the lights going out or people being unable to heat their ho

the go—ahead this week by the business secretary kwasi _ this week by the business secretary kwasi kwartengillion pounds and will be a match funded by the public purse. in order to develop— funded by the public purse. in order to develop what they are calling many reactors. they will not be ready— many reactors. they will not be ready untii _ many reactors. they will not be ready until 2015 —— 2050 but it is clearly _ ready until 2015 —— 2050 but it is clearly a — ready until 2015 —— 2050 but it is clearly a sign we have this gas crisis — clearly a sign we have this gas crisis as— clearly a sign we have this gas crisis as well as the fuel capability because it was decided to close down the gas storage facility. this is— close down the gas storage facility. this is about trying to build more resiiience — this is about trying to build more resilience to use nigel's frase, it is an— resilience to use nigel's frase, it is an awful— resilience to use nigel's frase, it is an awful lot of sticking plaster over some — is an awful lot of sticking plaster over some pretty gaping holes. nigel. — over

the business secretary kwasi kwarteng said business can meet demand for gas and that the government does global factors at play. katy austin, bbc news. our politcal correspondent, nick eardley is here. we have heard that four small energy companies have already gone bust because of this and this will add urgency to the government�*s talks with the energy sector this weekend and next week.— with the energy sector this weekend and next week. absolutely. the main thin the and next week. absolutely. the main thing the government _ and next week. absolutely. the main thing the government is _ and next week. absolutely. the main thing the government is emphasising j thing the government is emphasising is that it is not panicking, and the message from ministers is that there is sufficient capacity and supply to meet demand over the winter months. but it is being taken seriously, there are a series of meetings going on across whitehall today, the business secretary meeting with companies and operators and officials on the environment department meeting with food supplies, especially pork and chi

the business secretary kwasi kwarteng will be talking to gas producers, the national grid, suppliers the regulator ofgem. it's predicted the typical gas and electricity customer is likely to see their bill go up by £139 from october. the high gas prices have already led two large uk fertiliser plants to close — that's relevant because they produce carbon dioxide, a key element of the meat production process — leading to concerns about food supplies. our political correspondent peter saull is here. unusual for the business secretary to be having a meeting on a saturday. that is right. 20 meetings. this shows how serious the government is taking the situation. it is a global situation with global gas prices soaring, largely because of increase in demand, also problems with maintenance of some gas facilities around the world. also, lower output in recent months in terms of wind and solar. that is having an impact already on the gas suppliers which is why the business secretary wants speak to them today. particularly concerns about smaller gas suppliers, whether they can deal with that s

here is what kwasi kwarteng had to say in parliament.cient capacity, and more than sufficient capacity to meet demand, and we do not expect supply emergencies to occur this winter. there is absolutely no question mr speaker of the lights going out, of people being unable to heat their home. the business secretary held crisis talks with industry bosses including centrica and e—on on monday as the government considers offering emergency state—backed loans amid fears for struggling energy companies and soaring bills for customers. high demand for gas and reduced supply are behind a surge in wholesale prices. five energy companies have collapsed in recent weeks and more are expected within days. joining me now is bill bullen, chief executive of utilita energy which is a specialist pay as you go smart energy supplier in the uk. welcome to the programme. how concerned are you for your business? how are you writing this wave of high gas prices? we forward hedge our position, buying and energy for this coming winterfor the buying and energy for

the business secretary, kwasi kwarteng, said the government had "long standing" contingency plans toaintain fuel supplies. a shortage of lorry drivers has caused problems for a range of industries in recent months, from supermarkets to fast food chains. it is thought that ministers are to consider deploying the army to deliver fuel to garage forecourts. this report from our business correspondent, katy austin. honking. these were the scenes yesterday as panic buying led to some forecourts having to close. people are going a bit nuts. it's 6am in the morning and people are queueing up for petrol. i've got two to three hours work and about 20 miles. so i don't what i'm going to do. it's really frustrating. i am a driver and without petrol, of course, you cannot move. - a group which speaks for more than 5,000 independent fuel retailers said the impact had been severe. there is a large number, more than half, which already run dry and those others are running dry quite quickly. companies involved in the supply of fuel say a spike in demand is the problem, not any shortage of petrol or d

kwasi kwarteng said that customers would be protected if more energy companies went out of business,said there was no prospect of an energy supply emergency this winter. the growing crisis has been caused by a massive rise in the wholesale prices paid by energy suppliers. the food and drinks industry is also warning that one of the knock—on effects of the situation will be more shortages in the shops. our business editor simonjack reports. the uk energy sector is in crisis. dozens of small energy providers have already gone bust, and dozens more are not expected to make it through winter, as soaring energy prices leave many unable to deliver on price promises made to millions of customers who were encouraged to look for the best deals. secretary of state. in the commons today, the business secretary sought to reassure customers ahead of winter. we have sufficient capacity, and more than sufficient capacity to meet demand, and we do not expect supply emergencies to occur this winter. there is absolutely no question, mr speaker, of the lights going out or people being unable to heat th

the business secretary, kwasi kwarteng, said today "we have to prepare for longer—term high prices".current crisis caused by the rising cost of wholesale gas was "temporary". meanwhile, it's been revealed the government could pay tens of millions of pounds to an american—owned company to help it restart production of carbon dioxide used in the food industry. coletta smith reports. one crisis avirilityed. cox is so important in the brewing process, we use it as various stages. process, we use it as various states. ,., �* , process, we use it as various states. �*, ., stages. the government's pay out should keep — stages. the government's pay out should keep the _ stages. the government's pay out should keep the food _ stages. the government's pay out should keep the food and - stages. the government's pay out should keep the food and drink. should keep the food and drink industry bubbling for a few weeks we industry bubbling for a few weeks - have about two weeks reserves but we use vast quantities of it. we weren't panicking, there is always a solution to every problem be it is a rel

more now on the energy crisis in the uk — the business secretary kwasi kwarteng has been in intensive with energy providers over the weekend and will chair an industry meeting today to explore solutions. one is the government is considering offering emergency state—backed loans to energy companies in trouble as smaller firms battle to stay afloat amid surging gas prices. these companies face ruin as price hikes have made their price promises to customers undeliverable. there are fears some smaller suppliers could collapse in days. joining me now is robert buckley, energy analyst at cornwall insight. welcome to the programme. just explain to our viewers why we are in place with small energy companies close to collapse. thank you for inviting me on. without wholesale energy prices which have rocketed through the summer to levels, depending on the measure, anywhere between dublin ten times what we would normally expect to see. that is very difficult for all suppliers to hedge for, and offer a fixed prices and tariffs. �* ,., offer a fixed prices and tariffs. ~ ,., , offer a fixed prices

kwasi kwarteng tweeted earlier to try to address some of its concerns about supply issues.ote, he would expect there would be no supply emergency is over the winter. there is perhaps little ministers can do about the global volatility in gas prices. in fact, government sources today are keen to put across the point this highlights the fact that we need to rely a bit more on renewable energy, at home, reduce our reliability on fossil fuels. in the short term, they're looking at helping out some of the smaller energy firms who might be more exposed to that volatility in the global market. but arguably, the more pressing issue, as we saw, is this prospect of food shortages caused the sudden drop in availability of carbon dioxide. there are also meetings going on between officials from the department of food, environment, food and rural affairs and food industry bosses and they say a number of options are being considered, including the possibility of importing co2 from overseas. possibility of importing c02 from overseas. . ~' possibility of importing c02 from overseas. ., ~ ,

. —— kwasi kwarteng is looking ahead and trying to get on top of the developing crisis.e developing crisis. , . . , to get on top of the developing crisis. , . ., , , , ., to get on top of the developing crisis. , . . , , , ., ., crisis. i see a gas behind you that. should we — crisis. i see a gas behind you that. should we all— crisis. i see a gas behind you that. should we all perhaps _ crisis. i see a gas behind you that. should we all perhaps be - crisis. i see a gas behind you that. should we all perhaps be worried l should we all perhaps be worried that prices are going to advise as a result of all this? i that prices are going to advise as a result of all this?— result of all this? i am very wary of turning _ result of all this? i am very wary of turning the — result of all this? i am very wary of turning the gas _ result of all this? i am very wary of turning the gas hub _ result of all this? i am very wary of turning the gas hub on - result of all this? i am very wary of turning the gas hub on this i of turning the gas hub on this evening, _ of turning the gas h

. —— kwasi kwarteng.ll be further meetings with the regulator and industries to try to plan away forward. katy austin, bbc news. more thani million people in england will be sent invitations this week to book their coronavirus boosterjab. nhs england says texts will be received from monday, while letters will be sent to those who are eligible later in the week. duncan kennedy reports. do you want to roll up your sleeve for me? , ., ,, for me? the first of the booster “abs for me? the first of the booster jabs went _ for me? the first of the booster jabs went into _ for me? the first of the booster jabs went into arms _ for me? the first of the booster jabs went into arms this - for me? the first of the booster jabs went into arms this week, | for me? the first of the booster- jabs went into arms this week, with frontline health workers among the priority groups. in the coming weeks, invitations will start going out to people in england asking them to book their supplementary injections. it will be another

well in the last half an hour, the business secretary kwasi kwarteng has tweeted, today, i met the chiefrotect the market and consumers. i understand this will be a worrying time for businesses and consumers. we are working hard to manage the impact of global gas price rises. he goes on to say: energy security will always be our absolute priority. i am confident security of supply can be maintained under a wide range of scenarios. the headlines on bbc news... england and tottenham footballing legend, jimmy greaves, has died at the age of 81. in later years, he was a tv pundit alongside former liverpool striker, ian stjohn, in "saint and greavsie". the actorjohn challis, best known for playing �*boycie' in only fools and horses, has died at the age of 79. sport — and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's chetan. good afternoon. former england striker and tottenham's record goal—scorer jimmy greaves has died at the age of 81. greaves began his career with chelsea before spells at ac milan, spurs and west ham. he scored 44 goals in 57 games for england and was a member of t

alice baxter, thank so much. _ the business secretary kwasi kwarteng has said that a reserve fleet ofithin the exclusion zone declared around the volcano, which began erupting ten days ago. thousands of people have been forced from their homes on the island in the canaries. alexey short is a volcanologist who was there last night and he is there again tonight. thank you for speaking to us on bbc news. we can see behind you, the pall of smoke that has been hanging in the airfor days now. what are the environmental concerns beyond the threat to human life and human safety? nets concerns beyond the threat to human life and human safety? rats a concerns beyond the threat to human life and human safety?— life and human safety? as a whole, that volcanic _ life and human safety? as a whole, that volcanic plume _ life and human safety? as a whole, that volcanic plume you _ life and human safety? as a whole, that volcanic plume you see - life and human safety? as a whole, that volcanic plume you see at - life and human safety? as a whole, that volcanic plume you see at my i that volcanic plume

speaking to the same committee, the business secretary kwasi kwarteng said prices were only going to long term the price has spiked considerably, i've got a chart in front of me, i think it's quadrupled in the last six months, seven months. and you would expect normally that the price would revert to the mean. it's not something we think will be sustainable but of course, mrjones, we have to prepare for a longer term high prices. shadow business secretary, ed miliband, gave his view on what the next steps should be. look, i think the first thing you need _ look, i think the first thing you need to— look, i think the first thing you need to do, you need to keep the energy— need to do, you need to keep the energy price cap, because the energy price cap _ energy price cap, because the energy price cap is _ energy price cap, because the energy price cap is an essential protection for consumers up and down the country — for consumers up and down the country. you then need to look at what _ country. you then need to look at what resources are going to be required — what resources are going

. - the business secretary, kwasi kwarteng, has told the commons that the lights will not go out thisge spike in gas prices. the increase has left some energy companies unable to fulfil price promises to customers and teetering on the edge of collapse. mr kwarteng said he did expect some firms to go out of business, and said protecting consumers was his top priority. but he told mps the uk had the capacity to keep up with demand. britain benefits from having a diverse range of gas supply sources. we have sufficient capacity, and more than sufficient capacity, to meet demand and we do not expect supply emergencies to occur this winter. there is absolutely no question, mr speaker, of the lights going out or people being unable to heat their homes. there will be no three—day working weeks or a throwback to the 19705. such thinking, mr speaker, is alarmist, unhelpful and completely misguided. in response to mr kwarteng, the shadow business secretary, labour's ed miliband, said the government needed to offer more help to consumers. 0n consumer support, he is right to keep the price cap in

kwasi kwarteng said customers would be protected if more energy companies went out of business. was no prospect of an energy supply emergency this winter. the growing crisis has been caused by a massive rise in the wholesale prices paid by energy suppliers. the food and drinks industry is also warning that one of the knock—on effects of the situation will be more shortages in the shops. our business editor, simonjack, reports. the uk energy sector is in crisis. dozens of small energy providers have already gone bust, and dozens more are not expected to make it through winter, as soaring energy prices leave many unable to deliver on price promises made to millions of customers who were encouraged to look for the best deals. secretary of state. in the commons today, the business secretary sought to reassure customers ahead of winter. we have sufficient capacity, and more than sufficient capacity to meet demand, and we do not expect supply emergencies to occur this winter. there is absolutely no question, mr speaker, of the lights going out or people being unable to heat their home

this morning business secretary kwasi kwarteng was adamant that the gap will not be made up with grantss or bailouts. the option that seems to be the government's preferred option is those companies go for commercial loans from their banks but the government might help with a guarantee. it won't be just a grant, it won't be just a blank cheque, any support for those larger companies will be in terms of working capital, will be a loan. it won't be just a grant, it won't be just a blank cheque, it'll be something where if we do have this facility, if we do have this policy, they will be expected to pay back the loans, whereas in the case of a bailout, that's what it is, it's just a bailout where you grant money, taxpayers' money, and the taxpayer doesn't see any return from that. so the business secretary talking about loans for that scenario, but let's look at the c02 shortages coming about as a result of the crisis. the government seems to potentially be talking about subsidies for the perth —— for the fertiliser plants that produce much of the c02 the uk users. this fertiliser plants t

1st of april 2022. when it is next reviewed on the 1st of april 2022-_ the business secretary, kwasi kwartengenied there is a crisis in fuel supplies, although he did say the last few days have been "difficult", after long queues outside many petrol stations. our business correspondent ramzan karmali reports. we have just had a we havejust had a joint we have just had a joint statement from the fuel industry including companies like shell uk and bp and they say while there has always been plenty of fuel at our refineries and terminals, we are now seeing signs the situation at the pumps as begin to improve. they want to so they met with the business secretary and continue to meet with the government to maintain regular deliveries of fuel to stations. now it's time for a look at the weather with ben rich. not a bad sort of day today. some decent sunshine and probably end up being one of the driest days of the week. there have been some showers pushing down from the northwest, tending to fizzle away in many places now, so a lot of dry weather out there for the first part of the evening and then

much higher bills as a result of the transfer, and that is something that the energy secretary kwasi kwarteng are the challenges the government is going to try to address with lots of the energy companies they are meeting with at 11 o'clock today. you could say that is dealing with the symptoms, not the cause. important symptoms but not the root cause of the issue. the prime minister said this crisis is a function of the world economy waking up function of the world economy waking up and he used the analogy of everyone going to make a cup of tea at the same time at the end of a tv programme. is that analysis really correct? , ., , ., programme. is that analysis really correct? , ., , correct? some people would say it is because there _ correct? some people would say it is because there are _ correct? some people would say it is because there are quite _ correct? some people would say it is because there are quite a _ correct? some people would say it is because there are quite a lot - correct? some people would say it is because there are quite a lot of - because there are quite a lot of diff

the business secretary, kwasi kwarteng, described the move as a "sensible, precautionary step", stressingd strong supplies of fuel. but, as our business correspondent emma simpson reports, many motorists remain frustrated. we are all wondering how long it can go on for. that is what every driver wants to know after another day of use, shortages and panic buying. last night the government put army tanker drivers on standby commit many to be deployed if necessary. it also extended adr driving licences to help keep drivers on the roads. in a joint statement, the fuel industry says, with many cars holding more fuel than usual, we expect demand will return to normal levels in the coming days, easing pressure on full station —— forecourts. pressure on full station -- forecourts.— pressure on full station -- forecourts. ., , ., forecourts. people are getting frustrated. _ forecourts. people are getting frustrated. the _ forecourts. people are getting frustrated. the flow _ forecourts. people are getting frustrated. the flow of - forecourts. people are getting frustrated. the flow of traffic, j f

just going back to what kwasi kwarteng said, i think you need to give his head a shake.ation if he thinks we are headed towards normality. they say there will be military drivers and i will receive special training, to drive fuel tankers. the government have had months to prepare but haven't done anything so we are in this mess because of their inability to get things done and we see people queueing outside petrol stations were struggling to make ends meet as it is and it is just another burden because they are panicking more than they need to so i am sorry, the government have failed us on this one. �* , ., government have failed us on this one. �* government have failed us on this one.�* , government have failed us on this one. �* ,, .,, one. but you say things seem to be easin: , at one. but you say things seem to be easing. at your _ one. but you say things seem to be easing, at your station _ one. but you say things seem to be easing, at your station today? - easing, at your station today? because i am only letting in key workers, if i was to open up normally again

the business secretary kwasi kwarteng will give a statement on the uk gas market to the house of commonsotland have been given their covid jabs. a volcano erupts on a spanish holiday island in the canaries. cheering and british talent wins multiple honours at the emmy tv awards last night. the united states is expected to relax travel restrictions on vaccinated passengers from the european union and britain. the new rules are expected to come into effect from november. 0ur transport correspondent is caroline davies. what more are you hearing? it is early days, we are waiting to have that official announcement from the us government but my understanding from you industry sources are airlines are being briefed this change will crack on, a much awaited change for the industry desperate to get the us — uk lines connected again. if you happen to be from the us coming into the uk, you have been able to do so if you have been double—jabbed and not need to quarantine, from august. but you cannot travel from the uk to the us unless you have a green card or you have a special supervision or us pas

kwasi kwarteng, the business secretary. - meanwhile, the government is to meet the operating costs ofduce fertiliser to get c02. it's a challenging situation at the moment particularly for pigs and poultry but also the horticulture sector. we have seen enormous and unprecedented levels of food waste. this can only be resolved by making that fertiliser, 60% of fertiliser production, needs to be up and running. what the government is doing is welcome, but we need to see the detail, that's pressing. and the need for a long—term approach in all of this is extremely concerning. before we move on to how things will go ahead in the future and in the coming days, a bit more from you about the impact of the shortage. you said about food waste already. can you put some figures on what has actually been happening on the farms in terms of waste and perhaps changed ways of operating? again, this is the labour _ changed ways of operating? again, this is the labour situation - changed ways of operating? again, this is the labour situation as - this is the labour situation as well, we can't take that

but we will learn a lot more once they i we will learn a lot more once they business secretary kwasi kwartengto do everything we can. but this will get better as the market starts to sort itself out, as the world economy gets back on its feet _ there are all sorts of ways in which the suppression of the world economy — caused by covid — is now expressing itself as problems of recovery. and what we did hear from the minister atjames and what we did hear from the minister at james cleverly that you are talking to earlier on is a bit more about the government's of philosophy around this. they are not that bothered about small energy companies who have may taken a bit of a gamble going bust. they are bothered about consumers having to pay higher bills that they don't expect as a result. a lot of focus in the coming days will be making sure people don't see their bills arejumping from one sure people don't see their bills are jumping from one level to a sure people don't see their bills arejumping from one level to a much higher level overnight. lots are jumping from one level to a much higher lev