(The Financial Times estimates UK gas storage capacity at 2{b65f5d6d6d519c0954b2ab3b15d02806e53b5e138b4955adef66d08dc21b3c53} of annual gasoline demand compared to 20–30{b65f5d6d6d519c0954b2ab3b15d02806e53b5e138b4955adef66d08dc21b3c53} for its European peers). An apparent alternative is liquefied natural gasoline, which is shipped from the United States, Qatar, or Russia. But demand from state-backed utilities in Asia has bid up prices and redirected provide away from Europe. Meanwhile, a hearth at one of many two interconnectors that present the United Kingdom with electricity from France has disrupted power imports. Natural gas costs in Europe and the United Kingdom have quadrupled over the past six months to report highs. Gas accounts for 40{b65f5d6d6d519c0954b2ab3b15d02806e53b5e138b4955adef66d08dc21b3c53} of UK electrical energy generation, almost a quarter within the EU and is also a key fuel for heating (80{b65f5d6d6d519c0954b2ab3b15d02806e53b5e138b4955adef66d08dc21b3c53} of UK homes) and industrial production. The surge in fuel prices has fed through to wholesale electricity costs, which have nearly tripled since March.
Unemployment is predicted to rise as a result, from three.6{b65f5d6d6d519c0954b2ab3b15d02806e53b5e138b4955adef66d08dc21b3c53} in 2021 to four.5{b65f5d6d6d519c0954b2ab3b15d02806e53b5e138b4955adef66d08dc21b3c53} in 2022. Inflation is projected to go up from 1.1{b65f5d6d6d519c0954b2ab3b15d02806e53b5e138b4955adef66d08dc21b3c53} in 2020 to 1.5 {b65f5d6d6d519c0954b2ab3b15d02806e53b5e138b4955adef66d08dc21b3c53} in 2021, due to larger oil prices. Inflation should stay at 1.5{b65f5d6d6d519c0954b2ab3b15d02806e53b5e138b4955adef66d08dc21b3c53} in 2022 and rise to 1.8{b65f5d6d6d519c0954b2ab3b15d02806e53b5e138b4955adef66d08dc21b3c53} in 2023, in line with growing labour market tightness.…
