Warning that Britain is vulnerable to energy shocks should not go unheeded - The Yorkshire Post says

The Commission is made up of experts from reputable organisations such as Citizens Advice and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and was launched earlier this year to review the impacts of the recent energy crisis on UK households and businesses following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

With the war there fading into the background as attention turns elsewhere, there’s a danger that complacency could creep in when it comes to energy security. Especially with tensions in the Middle East boiling over, the energy markets could well end up being hit by further turmoil.

Previously Britain was “dangerously underprepared” for an energy crisis and was one of the worst-hit countries in Europe, ranking second most dependent country when it came to gas and fifth most dependent on gas for electricity against EU nations.

Households in Britain “paid the price” for the slow pace of improving housing stock, delays to new-build efficiency standards and missed opportunities to build more renewables.

The Commission said that the Government was moving in the right direction as it cuts dependency on fossil fuels. But the key thing is for it to move at scale and quickly.

The stop-start nature of the transition to net zero under the previous government has not helped the nation.

But while in the long-run the country can position itself to avert future crises, there are quick wins that can be achieved in the here and now such as insulation of homes. It would obviously come at a cost but it’s a relatively cheap and efficient way of shoring up Britain against energy shocks.