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| Version 6 | Version 7 |
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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". |
| The AA says some roads may not be safe, as councils battle to keep major routes clear amid salt rationing. | The AA says some roads may not be safe, as councils battle to keep major routes clear amid salt rationing. |
| In a podcast, the PM acknowledged the "worrying and frustrating" situation but said agencies were working together to keep the public "safe and warm". | In a podcast, the PM acknowledged the "worrying and frustrating" situation but said agencies were working together to keep the public "safe and warm". |
| 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," he said. | "Supplies are not running out," he said. |
| "We've got plenty of gas, of course, in our own back yard - the North Sea - and we also have access to the large reserves in Norway and Netherlands via pipelines." | "We've got plenty of gas, of course, 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 that a 90-year-old woman had frozen to death in her garden near Barnsley, bringing the number of people thought to have died as a result of weather-related incidents to 25. | On Saturday, police confirmed that a 90-year-old woman had frozen to death in her garden near Barnsley, bringing the number of people thought to have died as a result of weather-related incidents to 25. |
| 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 salt 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 salt use by 25% in a bid to preserve dwindling supplies. |
| Mr Brown said: "Working with the suppliers and the highway authorities, we are also making sure stocks of salt to grit roads and pavements get to where they're most needed." | Mr Brown said: "Working with the suppliers and the highway authorities, we are also making sure stocks of salt to grit roads and pavements get to where they're most needed." |
| He acknowledged that many minor roads were "pretty treacherous" and that travellers faced delays at airports and railway stations. | He acknowledged that many minor roads were "pretty treacherous" and that travellers faced delays at airports and railway stations. |
| "Businesses are also having a tough time, with supply and delivery problems, staff unable to get in and customers obviously staying at home," he said. | "Businesses are also having a tough time, with supply and delivery problems, staff unable to get in and customers obviously staying at home," he said. |
| 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 |
| "But I want to reassure you that we are working closely with the emergency services, local authorities and all the relevant agencies to do everything we can to minimise the disruption and - most importantly - to keep you safe and warm." | "But I want to reassure you that we are working closely with the emergency services, local authorities and all the relevant agencies to do everything we can to minimise the disruption and - most importantly - to keep you safe and warm." |
| Mr Brown was speaking as the Highways Agency stopped treating motorway hard shoulders in England. Salt ordered from abroad is not due to arrive until 21 January. | Mr Brown was speaking as the Highways Agency stopped treating motorway hard shoulders in England. Salt ordered from abroad is not due to arrive until 21 January. |
| 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. | 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 move to ration salt is "an admission of utter failure" and plans should have been made earlier. | However, Conservatives say the move to ration salt is "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 internal problems, following a bid to force a ballot on Mr Brown's leadership. | Shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary, Caroline Spelman, said the government had been "distracted" by internal problems, following a bid to force a ballot on Mr Brown's leadership. |
| "Councils can't grit where they would like to. I think that lack of contingency planning just shows me really that the government had its eye off the ball," she said. | "Councils can't grit where they would like to. I think that lack of contingency planning just shows me really that the government had its eye off the ball," she said. |
| AA president Edmund King said he had raised concerns about salt supplies before Christmas. | AA president Edmund King said he had raised concerns about salt supplies before Christmas. |
| "We were not assured that everyone was as prepared as they should have been that's why I wrote to the Local Government Association in November." | "We were not assured that everyone was as prepared as they should have been that's why I wrote to the Local Government Association in November." |
| But David Sparks, of the LGA - which represents councils in England and Wales with responsibility for local roads, said people would still be able to travel. | But David Sparks, of the LGA - which represents councils in England and Wales with responsibility for local roads, said people would still be able to travel. |
| "The major roads will be gritted, the major communications between the country, and within local authorities and regions," he said. | "The major roads will be gritted, the major communications between the country, and within local authorities and regions," he said. |
| Travel disruption | Travel disruption |
| 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. Caerphilly, Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan councils will run out of salt by Monday if weekend deliveries do not arrive. | In south Wales, Rhondda Cynon Taf council is treating 40% fewer roads and closing mountain routes. Caerphilly, Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan councils will run out of salt by Monday if weekend deliveries do not arrive. |
| Professor Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC Foundation, said: "Drivers need to act responsibly... lower their travel expectations and be ready for the worst." | Professor Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC Foundation, said: "Drivers need to act responsibly... lower their travel expectations and be ready for the worst." |
| There have been lane closures on some motorways but few serious problems during Saturday. Elsewhere: | There have been lane closures on some motorways but few serious problems during Saturday. Elsewhere: |
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| About 400 houses around Mortehoe, North Devon, have been without gas for 24 hours after water got into the main supply pipe, Wales and West Utilties has said. | About 400 houses around Mortehoe, North Devon, have been without gas for 24 hours after water got into the main supply pipe, Wales and West Utilties has said. |
| Energy supplier EDF has said about 200 homes near Luton, Beds, are still without electricity after power cuts affected 500 customers overnight. | Energy supplier EDF has said about 200 homes near Luton, Beds, are still without electricity after power cuts affected 500 customers overnight. |
| Retail research group Synovate said the weather was having an impact on shopping, with 28% fewer people entering non-food stores between 6 January and 8 January compared with the same period last year. | Retail research group Synovate said the weather was having an impact on shopping, with 28% fewer people entering non-food stores between 6 January and 8 January compared with the same period last year. |
| The worst affected regions were south-east and southern England, where numbers were down by 35% year-on-year. | The worst affected regions were south-east and southern England, where numbers were down by 35% year-on-year. |
| Parts of eastern England saw between 2cm and 5cm (0.8in-2in) of snow on Saturday. | Parts of eastern England saw 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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