English councils seek exit from Russian energy firm Gazprom deals

Councils across England are seeking to cut ties with the Russian energy firm Gazprom in protest at the invasion of Ukraine.

Several, who use the part-state-owned firm's gas to heat buildings including offices, schools and social housing, have told the BBC they want to end their contracts as soon as possible.

UK local authorities, which have a statutory duty to find the cheapest deal on behalf of the public, reportedly paid £29m to Gazprom from 2016 to 2021.

But many are "deeply saddened" by events in Ukraine since the invasion began last week, the Local Government Association, which represents councils, said.

The Anglo-Dutch oil company Shell cut all ties with Gazprom earlier this week.

But it is not on the UK government's list of sanctioned Russian firms, meaning it might be difficult for councils to end contracts early.

However, Wealden District Council, in East Sussex, which uses Gazprom to supply gas to its social housing, has told the BBC it is looking at its "options and obligations".

The leader of Lancashire's Wyre Council, David Henderson, said he would be asking for a briefing to "see what the position would be" about breaking its contract.

Telford and Wrekin Council, in Shropshire, which uses Gazprom's gas to supply a housing estate, said it was "urgently" looking to sever ties.

And Mark Allison, Labour leader of Merton Council, told BBC Radio London he was "not at all comfortable with having any relationship with a Russian-sponsored firm on the scale that we are at the moment".

He added: "It's not acceptable that councils are being forced to carry on a relationship with a Russian firm. It's just not on and we want to stop it and break our contract."

Manchester City Council said its contract with Gazprom came to an end this month, while Bristol City Council said it had not made any payments to it since 2019.

London's Westminster City Council said it had begun reviewing financial links with all Russian companies following the invasion, adding: "A contract with Gazprom to supply our housing estate ended last year."

The data firm Tussell says UK councils paid £29m to Gazprom from 2016 to 2021.

Suffolk County Council was the first authority to announce, on Monday, that it was actively looking for ways to cancel its contract with the company, which supplies it with gas to heat schools and offices.

A Local Government Association spokesperson said councils were "deeply saddened by the tragic events unfolding in Ukraine and are following the situation closely".

"It is up to individual councils to decide how to act locally but, like many organisations, they will be reviewing what action they might want to take in light of UK sanctions and the ongoing situation," they added.

Russian companies supply around 5% of the UK's gas, compared with almost 50% for EU countries.

A government spokesperson said: "We will work closely with councils and other public bodies to ensure they are able to comply with the financial and investment restrictions on Russia and will engage with them on what support they need to do this.

"The UK is in no way dependent on Russian gas supply and our highly diverse sources of gas supply and a diverse electricity mix ensures that households, businesses, and heavy industry get the energy they need."