Boris Johnson warns the British of months of gas crisis

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British Prime Minister Johnson (r.) At the gas supplier British Gas

Photo: Rui Vieira / AP

In Germany, experts fear drastic increases in gas prices - but compared to Great Britain the situation is still relaxed: In the United Kingdom, tariffs have risen by around 250 percent since the beginning of the year.

And, according to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the energy crisis could last for several months.

It will take time for global industry to recover from the consequences of the corona pandemic, Johnson said on Monday night during a visit to New York.

“It's like everyone turns on the kettle at the end of a TV show.

It's putting a tremendous strain on the world's supply systems. ”At the same time, Johnson tried to reassure consumers.

The disturbances are only temporary.

"Market forces will even out very quickly, and we will do everything we can to help."

Economy Minister Kwasi Kwarteng wanted to consult with energy companies at a crisis meeting on Monday.

It is expected that the corporations will demand state support.

However, the government does not want to protect smaller suppliers from bankruptcy, as the Guardian reported.

This is to prevent consumer prices from rising further.

The customers are to be auctioned off to larger companies.

The crisis is also affecting food and beverage manufacturers.

The food producer Bernard Matthews warned that the Christmas dinner could be "canceled".

The sharp rise in gas prices has led to the closure of two large fertilizer plants that produce carbon dioxide (CO₂) as a by-product.

Among other things, CO₂ is required for vacuum packaging of meat or beer.

But the health industry is also affected.

The NHS health service announced that operations could be canceled due to the lack of CO₂.

This would increase the enormous backlog in the clinics.

fdi / dpa