Brits ready for higher bills to end reliance on Russian gas

A majority of British consumers would be willing to pay more on their energy bills if it helps to undermine Russia’s war in Ukraine, according to a new poll.

Following Tuesday’s announcement by business and energy secretary Kwasi Kwarteng that the government is exploring ways to reduce the UK’s reliance on Russian gas, new polling commissioned by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) has found that 59% of people would accept higher bills in order to deprive Russia of vital revenues for its military campaign.

Only 24% opposed to paying more for their gas and electricity, according to the poll of 2,000 people which was carried out by Opinium for the thinktank.

This level of support was mirrored in the traditionally Labour-voting Red Wall constituencies, many of which the Conservatives gained in the 2019 general election, where 58% said they were willing to pay more for their energy.

The UK meets four per cent of its gas demand currently from Russian LNG (liquified natural gas), which would be more expensive to replace in the short-term because of high international spot prices.

However, pressure is building up across western countries to end dependence on Russian oil and gas, the profits from which are helping to bankroll the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

The ECIU poll also found that 57% of the public saw reducing the use of gas entirely and expanding renewables as the best way of eliminating UK reliance on Russian gas in the longer-term.

Less than a third (29%) viewed increasing the UK’s domestic supply of gas through expanded drilling and fracking as the solution.

The publication of the poll came ahead of prime minister’s Question Time on Wednesday (9 March) when Boris Johnson said the government will be setting out an ‘energy independence plan’ for the UK in the “next few days”.

The prime minister said this would set out a “long term” and “sustainable, cost-efficient energy supply” plan for the UK.

Commenting on the poll, Dr Simon Cran-McGreehin, head of analysis at the ECIU, said: “Brits are willing to chip in to get the UK off Russian gas and see net zero policies as the solution, which means expanding British renewables and insulating homes so they waste less energy. More gas won’t bring down the energy bills of those struggling to pay, but insulation can and does so permanently.”

Saqib Bhatti, Conservative MP for Meriden, said: “We must reduce our dependency on Russian gas and oil to defund Putin’s military machine and support Ukraine. 

“As Europe moves away from the Kremlin’s gas, energy prices will rise, but net zero offers the solution. Renewables offer a route to cheap, clean homegrown energy. That is why the government has the right approach with its net zero ambitions.

“In the short term, this research shows people want to see the government step up efforts to install insulation and heat pumps that are now cheaper to run than gas boilers. This could help reduce our exposure to volatile global gas markets and lower bills.”