Kwasi Kwarteng: Talk of the lights going out is “alarmist, unhelpful and completely misguided” There is “no question of the lights going out” this winter as a result of huge rises in gas prices, the business secretary has said. Kwasi Kwarteng said he does “not expect supply emergencies” and described warnings about shortages as “alarmist”. His statement comes as smaller energy providers battle to stay afloat due to gas price hikes making price promises to customers undeliverable. High demand for gas and reduced supply are behind a surge in wholesale prices. Customers are protected from sudden hikes in wholesale gas prices through the energy price cap, which is the maximum price they can be charged on a standard tariff. However, the cap means energy firms are unable to pass on higher wholesale costs to their customers, which is forcing some – mostly smaller companies – to go out of […]