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| PM pledge on cold snap gas supply | PM pledge on cold snap gas supply |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Gordon Brown has pledged the UK's gas supplies will not run out during the current cold snap, and that road salt will get to "where it is most needed". | Gordon Brown has pledged the UK's gas supplies will not run out during the current cold snap, and that road salt will get to "where it is most needed". |
| As councils worked to keep major routes clear, the AA said it had warned them last year about road salt stocks. | As councils worked to keep major routes clear, the AA said it had warned them last year about road salt stocks. |
| The PM acknowledged the "worrying and frustrating" situation but said agencies were working together to keep the public "safe and warm". | The PM acknowledged the "worrying and frustrating" situation but said agencies were working together to keep the public "safe and warm". |
| Police have confirmed two more weather-related deaths, taking the total to 26. | Police have confirmed two more weather-related deaths, taking the total to 26. |
| The cold weather is set to continue for the next few days at least, with more snow forecast overnight in some parts of the UK. | The cold weather is set to continue for the next few days at least, with more snow forecast overnight in some parts of the UK. |
| Almost 100 firms were forced to stop using gas this week as demand soared. | Almost 100 firms were forced to stop using gas this week as demand soared. |
| National Grid also issued two alerts - subsequently lifted - to warn of a potential shortfall in supplies. | National Grid also issued two alerts - subsequently lifted - to warn of a potential shortfall in supplies. |
| However, Mr Brown said the distributor had confirmed it expected to meet demand. | However, Mr Brown said the distributor had confirmed it expected to meet demand. |
| FROZEN BRITAIN See an enlarged version Special report: Frozen Britain Sport ravaged by weather | FROZEN BRITAIN See an enlarged version Special report: Frozen Britain Sport ravaged by weather |
| "Supplies are not running out," Mr Brown said in his podcast issued from Downing Street. | "Supplies are not running out," Mr Brown said in his podcast issued from Downing Street. |
| The prime minister added: "We've got plenty of gas in our own back yard - the North Sea - and we also have access to the large reserves in Norway and Netherlands via pipelines." | The prime minister added: "We've got plenty of gas in our own back yard - the North Sea - and we also have access to the large reserves in Norway and Netherlands via pipelines." |
| Charities have called for cold weather fuel payments to pensioners to be increased to prevent the death rate soaring. | Charities have called for cold weather fuel payments to pensioners to be increased to prevent the death rate soaring. |
| On Saturday, police confirmed a 90-year-old woman had frozen to death in her garden near Barnsley and that a woman, 42, died after being found near shops in Newcastle. | On Saturday, police confirmed a 90-year-old woman had frozen to death in her garden near Barnsley and that a woman, 42, died after being found near shops in Newcastle. |
| Police are also searching for missing mountain-walker Steven Bailey, 51, from Ambleside, Cumbria. He was last seen on Tuesday in Windermere in the Lake District. | Police are also searching for missing mountain-walker Steven Bailey, 51, from Ambleside, Cumbria. He was last seen on Tuesday in Windermere in the Lake District. |
| Kent Police have said the army is on stand-by should the weather get worse but advised people to stay at home unless it was necessary. | Kent Police have said the army is on stand-by should the weather get worse but advised people to stay at home unless it was necessary. |
| BBC forecasters say freezing conditions will continue until at least Wednesday, and probably longer. | BBC forecasters say freezing conditions will continue until at least Wednesday, and probably longer. |
| The forecast has led to fears there will not be enough salt to grit the roads, with local authorities agreeing to cut its use by 25% in a bid to preserve dwindling supplies. | The forecast has led to fears there will not be enough salt to grit the roads, with local authorities agreeing to cut its use by 25% in a bid to preserve dwindling supplies. |
| The AA said it raised concerns about salt supplies with the Local Government Association (LGA) before Christmas. | The AA said it raised concerns about salt supplies with the Local Government Association (LGA) before Christmas. |
| AA spokesman Paul Watters told the BBC said councils had reduced stocks by 250,000 tonnes during the past 10 years. | AA spokesman Paul Watters told the BBC said councils had reduced stocks by 250,000 tonnes during the past 10 years. |
| But The LGA stressed motorists were still be able to travel on major roads. | But The LGA stressed motorists were still be able to travel on major roads. |
| Mr Brown said: "We are making sure stocks of salt to grit roads and pavements get to where they're most needed." | Mr Brown said: "We are making sure stocks of salt to grit roads and pavements get to where they're most needed." |
| He said many minor roads were "pretty treacherous" and travellers faced delays at airports and railway stations. | He said many minor roads were "pretty treacherous" and travellers faced delays at airports and railway stations. |
| The prime minister also acknowledged businesses were suffering but added the government was "working closely" with the emergency services, and other relevant agencies to keep Britons "safe and warm". | The prime minister also acknowledged businesses were suffering but added the government was "working closely" with the emergency services, and other relevant agencies to keep Britons "safe and warm". |
| WEATHER AND TRAVEL INFO Get the latest on school closures and travel problems via your BBC Local websiteCheck if snow is forecast in your area at BBC Weather Details of motorway and local road closures and public transport disruption are available at BBC Travel News For advice on handling difficult driving conditions, see the Highways Agency websiteFor information about severe weather warnings, see the Met Office websiteFor information about staying healthy in the current cold snap, see the NHS Winter Health website | WEATHER AND TRAVEL INFO Get the latest on school closures and travel problems via your BBC Local websiteCheck if snow is forecast in your area at BBC Weather Details of motorway and local road closures and public transport disruption are available at BBC Travel News For advice on handling difficult driving conditions, see the Highways Agency websiteFor information about severe weather warnings, see the Met Office websiteFor information about staying healthy in the current cold snap, see the NHS Winter Health website |
| The Highways Agency stopped treating motorway hard shoulders in England. Salt ordered from abroad is not due to arrive until 21 January. | The Highways Agency stopped treating motorway hard shoulders in England. Salt ordered from abroad is not due to arrive until 21 January. |
| But the agency's David Grunwell said the motorway and trunk road network was "running remarkably well" and that it had sufficient stocks for the conditions. | But the agency's David Grunwell said the motorway and trunk road network was "running remarkably well" and that it had sufficient stocks for the conditions. |
| However, Conservatives say the decision to ration salt was "an admission of utter failure" and plans should have been made earlier. | However, Conservatives say the decision to ration salt was "an admission of utter failure" and plans should have been made earlier. |
| Shadow communities and local government secretary, Caroline Spelman, said the government had been "distracted" by its internal political problems and that it had "taken its eye off the ball," she said. | Shadow communities and local government secretary, Caroline Spelman, said the government had been "distracted" by its internal political problems and that it had "taken its eye off the ball," she said. |
| Scouts talk about braving the sub-zero temperatures | Scouts talk about braving the sub-zero temperatures |
| York council has begun mixing sand into its road salt to make supplies go further, although the move renders the grit less effective. | York council has begun mixing sand into its road salt to make supplies go further, although the move renders the grit less effective. |
| In south Wales, Rhondda Cynon Taf council is treating 40% fewer roads and closing mountain routes. | In south Wales, Rhondda Cynon Taf council is treating 40% fewer roads and closing mountain routes. |
| Chemical firm Ineos said it had diverted 12,000 tonnes of white salt earmarked for food and chlorine production in Germany for use on Britain's roads after it was approached by several councils. | Chemical firm Ineos said it had diverted 12,000 tonnes of white salt earmarked for food and chlorine production in Germany for use on Britain's roads after it was approached by several councils. |
| The amount represents about one fifth of the UK's daily use, before rationing was introduced. | The amount represents about one fifth of the UK's daily use, before rationing was introduced. |
| Roads closed after crashes on Saturday included the eastbound A66 in Cumbria and A174 near Redcar, Cleveland. | Roads closed after crashes on Saturday included the eastbound A66 in Cumbria and A174 near Redcar, Cleveland. |
| Several lane closures were in place on motorways. Elsewhere: | Several lane closures were in place on motorways. Elsewhere: |
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| Around the country, about 400 houses around Mortehoe, North Devon, were without gas for 24 hours after water got into the main supply pipe. | Around the country, about 400 houses around Mortehoe, North Devon, were without gas for 24 hours after water got into the main supply pipe. |
| And 50 homes near Luton, Beds, were still without electricity after power cuts affected 500 customers overnight. | And 50 homes near Luton, Beds, were still without electricity after power cuts affected 500 customers overnight. |
| Retail research group Synovate said the weather was affecting business, with 28% fewer people entering non-food stores between 6 and 8 January than last year. | Retail research group Synovate said the weather was affecting business, with 28% fewer people entering non-food stores between 6 and 8 January than last year. |
| But others were determined the weather would not disrupt their plans. About 2,500 scouts are braving sub-zero temperatures at a two-day camp in Chingford, Essex. | But others were determined the weather would not disrupt their plans. About 2,500 scouts are braving sub-zero temperatures at a two-day camp in Chingford, Essex. |
| The snow continued to fall, with parts of eastern England seeing between 2cm and 5cm (0.8in-2in) of snow on Saturday. | The snow continued to fall, with parts of eastern England seeing between 2cm and 5cm (0.8in-2in) of snow on Saturday. |
| BBC weather forecaster Alex Deakin said up to 10cm (4in) could fall in the South East on Saturday night, in particular south and east of London. | BBC weather forecaster Alex Deakin said up to 10cm (4in) could fall in the South East on Saturday night, in particular south and east of London. |
| Snow showers will move across England and Wales on Sunday, with falls of 2cm-5cm or 10cm on high ground, he added. Temperatures on Sunday should be around freezing. | Snow showers will move across England and Wales on Sunday, with falls of 2cm-5cm or 10cm on high ground, he added. Temperatures on Sunday should be around freezing. |
| FORECAST FROM BBC WEATHER | FORECAST FROM BBC WEATHER |
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Map Key
FogLight HeavyFrostLight HeavyPressure FrontsCold Warm OccludedRainLight Heavy ExtremeSnowLight Heavy | Map Key
FogLight HeavyFrostLight HeavyPressure FrontsCold Warm OccludedRainLight Heavy ExtremeSnowLight Heavy |
| Temperature tab only | Temperature tab only |
Temperature (°C)More details from BBC Weather | Temperature (°C)More details from BBC Weather |
| How is the winter freeze affecting you? Is the weather spoiling your sporting plans this weekend? Are you due to watch or play in a local league game? | How is the winter freeze affecting you? Is the weather spoiling your sporting plans this weekend? Are you due to watch or play in a local league game? |
| Send us a picture or a video showing how cold the temperature is where you live. | Send us a picture or a video showing how cold the temperature is where you live. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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