No need to reduce energy consumption and no risk of winter power cuts, No 10 tells the public

People should continue to use as much energy as possible. 'they want it because there is no risk of winter blackouts, says Number 10 - dismissing expert warnings.

Ex-government advisers have urged the government to copy the EU in advising the public of the need to reduce demand to avoid a supply shortage, as well as cut their skyrocketing bills.

But Boris Johnson's spokeswoman insisted on the fact that the UK did not need to act because, unlike most EU countries, it is not dependent on Russian gas imports.

"Households, businesses and the industry can be sure that there s will get the electricity and gas they need through the winter," she told The Independent.

"It's because we have one of the most reliable and diverse energy systems in the world," she said, adding, "We have access to our own gas reserves in the North Sea, as well as regular imports from reliable partners like Norway."

RecommendedBoris Johnson's own moral failings diminished all around him< p>When asked whether the public should reduce their energy consumption in any way, the spokesperson replied, "No." She said: "These decisions, in terms of energy use, remain individual decisions."

The advice is given despite fears by some experts of a risk of blackouts in winter - especially if problems in Norway and France reduce their exports to the UK.

Adam Bell, head of the government's energy strategy until last year, predicted a probability of 10 % of several days this winter when "for a short number of hours some domestic consumers will lose power"

"By not educating the public on how best to reduce their demand, they increase the likelihood of a security of supply problem," Bell, currently at consultancy Stonehaven, told the weekend.

Despite No 10's comments, those responsible are known to privately play out the "worst-case scenario" of power outages and gas cuts this winter that could t trigger emergency measures.

The spokeswoman also declined to say whether Mr Johnson was living in his Checkers campaign retreat during his final two weeks in office - after removal vans swept away his furniture last week.

She said he would split his time between No. 10 and Checkers, after returning from his last summer vacation, but would not say where he would be most of the week.

Asked how the prime minister would seek to shape his “legacy” in his final days in office, the spokeswoman highlighted support for Ukraine in the war with Russia and existing measures to mitigate the cost of living crisis.

Mr. Johnson has rejected calls to rally Conservative leadership candidates Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak to try to devise a new contingency plan - arguing that must wait until his successor is elected.

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