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UK: Energy bills to soar and meat industry ‘in crisis’ due to global gas shortages

The Metro reported, Britain looks set to feel the impact of a global energy crisis which could hit household bills and reduce the amount of meat products on supermarket shelves.
Wholesale gas prices have soared in recent weeks, leading to warnings the country is facing higher costs for the rest of the year.
Ministers have denied the UK is facing ‘supply emergencies this winter’ but a former head of the energy regulator says prices will remain high.
The rise is being blamed on high global demand, maintenance issues and lower solar and wind energy output.
At the same time, a worldwide carbon dioxide shortage has triggered warnings from the meat industry that it could ‘grind to a halt’ within a fortnight.
Business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said energy security is ‘an absolute priority’ as he prepared to hold talks to prevent customers facing big price hikes.
Dermot Nolan, a former Ofgem chief executive, said the increases were the result of depleted stocks following a cold winter last winter, reduced supply from Russia, and increased demand for liquefied natural gas from Asia.

He told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: ‘It is not obvious to me what can be done in the very short run. Britain does have secure relatively diverse sources of gas, so I think the lights will stay on.
Read more: UK government to hold talks with gas suppliers over gas price rises
‘But I am afraid it is likely in my view that high gas and high electricity prices will be sustained for the next three to four months.
‘It is very difficult to see what the government can do directly in this regard.’
Mr Kwarteng tweeted: ‘Britain has a diverse range of gas supply sources, with sufficient capacity to more than meet demand. We do not expect supply emergencies this winter.’
The energy secretary has reportedly held meetings with senior executives from a range of power companies.
Meanwhile, the government is being urged by meat producers to step in to protect the food supply chain, after the sharp rise in gas prices resulted in a cut in the supply of carbon dioxide (CO2) to the industry.
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Two large fertiliser plants in Teesside and Cheshire, which produce CO2 as a by-product, have shut as a result of the sudden hike in wholesale gas prices.
British Meat Processors Association chief executive Nick Allen said CO2 is essential to both the humane slaughter of livestock and extending the shelf-life of products.
He told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: ‘If we haven’t got the CO2 supplies, on the packaging side that reduces the shelf-life of products going on the shelves at a time when we are really struggling because of all the transport problems.
‘This has come as a huge shock, it has happened so quickly.
‘I think everyone is outraged in the industry that these fertiliser plants can shut down without any warning whatsoever and suddenly take something which is so essential to the food supply chain off-stream just like that.
‘We really need government to step in now and actually do something.’
Source: metro
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BENEFIT Sponsors BuildHer...
- April 23, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”
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