Search

Suffolk Council Cuts Ties With Gazprom

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Suffolk County Council has announced that it will be breaking away from its £10 million contract with Gazprom, the Russian state-owned energy supplier.

While the deal was scheduled to run up until 2021, providing gas to schools and offices throughout the county, the leader of the council Matthew Hicks announced that the county was “actively pursuing” ending the contract.

Commenting further on the announcement, Mr Hicks said:

“When Vladimir Putin made the immoral and utterly reprehensible decision to invade Ukraine, I instructed officers last week to review our contract with Russian-owned energy company Gazprom. I can confirm that we have decided to invoke our options to break away from the contract, ending our connection with Gazprom.”

The move has been welcomed by opposition members of the council, including the leader of the opposition Green, Liberal Democrat and Independent group. The authority confirmed that, from April next year all of its electricity would be supplied by EDF Energy for the next three years from renewable sources, including wing, hydro and solar power.

This comes as both UEFA and German football club Schalke 04 both cut ties with Gazprom over the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Following the announcement, there are questions as to whether further councils throughout the UK will take similar actions in response to unfolding and escalating events in Ukraine after Prime Minister Boris Johnson today declared at Prime Ministers Questions that Vladimir Putin had carried out war crimes.

Wealden District Council uses Gazprom as its supplier for social housing, commented that they were looking at its “options and obligations.” Further to this, the Local Government Association, the representative body or councils in England and Wales said:

“Councils are 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.”

While the most severe economic sanctions that the UK place on Russia will come from central government, these developments form part of an evolving conversation around the ways in which local authorities can play a part in increasing pressure on the Putin regime. We will see in due course if further councils follow suit, however council-wide contracts are ones that no Russian firm will want to lose.

Share

Related Topics

Latest

Housing Dilemma: What Type of Housing Do We Need?

Inverness and the Highlands face a pressing housing challenge that affects both the ageing population and essential healthcare workers. Mixed housing options can create sustainable, inclusive communities while addressing affordability and accessibility concerns. By integrating housing policy into local and healthcare planning, we can build a future that supports all generations.

Trump’s Ukraine Deal: What It Means for the UK

Donald Trump’s latest diplomatic manoeuvres have sent shockwaves through Europe. With plans for direct peace talks with Vladimir Putin, the former US president appears willing to push Ukraine into territorial concessions. But what does this mean for the UK? From military strategy to diplomatic alliances, Britain now faces a critical test of its role in European security. With NATO unity at stake and Ukraine’s sovereignty hanging by a thread, the UK must decide whether to step up or risk being sidelined.

Video Features

Health and Social Care Reforms: Facing the Challenges, Building the Future

Revolutionising Healthcare Diagnostics: A Call to Arms

NHS & Life Sciences: Harnessing Innovation For Global Health

Screening and Diagnostics: Advancing the Frontiers of Healthcare

Subscribe to our newsletter for your free digital copy of the journal!

Receive our latest insights, future journals as soon as they are published and get invited to our exclusive events and webinars.

Newsletter Signups
?
?

We respect your privacy and will not share your email address with any third party. Your personal data will be collected and handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Never miss an issue by subcribing to our newsletter!

Receive our latest insights and all future journals as soon as they are published and get invited to our exclusive events and webinars.

Newsletter Signups
?
?

We respect your privacy and will not share your email address with any third party. Your personal data will be collected and handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Never miss an issue by subcribing to our newsletter!

Receive our latest insights and all future journals as soon as they are published and get invited to our exclusive events and webinars.

Newsletter Signups
?
?

We respect your privacy and will not share your email address with any third party. Your personal data will be collected and handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Newsletter Signup

Receive our latest insights as soon as they are published and get invited to our exclusive events and webinars.

Newsletter Signups
?
?

We respect your privacy and will not share your email address with any third party. Your personal data will be collected and handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.