Britain could run out of gas this winter if cold snap hits, with household bills set to soar to nearly £2,000

From the Newshound archive · first published 9 October 2026 · last updated 10 October 2026.

UK gas reserves were only 48 percent full at the start of October — the worst position in Europe — as a major European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas report warns that stocks could reach zero during an extended cold snap. Cornwall Insight projects that annual household bills will climb £276 to £1,999 by January, with the figure potentially rising further if Britain must purchase costly US liquefied natural gas to cover the shortfall. The warning comes as Prime Minister Andy Burnham faces growing calls to give the go-ahead to the Jackdaw North Sea gas field.

Poland began winter with reserves 99 percent full and Portugal at 94 percent — the UK's 48 percent ranks among Europe's lowest.

EU storage overall stands at just 72 percent, well short of the 88 percent level regarded as the minimum safe threshold for the winter period.

Disruption to Strait of Hormuz shipping caused by Middle East conflict has tightened global gas supplies, deepening Britain's already vulnerable position.