UK PM Johnson calls for Britain to end its energy dependence on ‘foreign despots’

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will say on Thursday that the recent rise in energy prices was a warning that Britain cannot be left at the mercy of international markets or “foreign despots” to meet its energy needs.

Europe is facing massive increases in energy bills driven by rocketing gas prices as Russia’s move to throttle European supplies amid the war in Ukraine drives wholesale gas prices to record highs.

British energy bills will jump 80% to an average of 3,549 pounds ($4,188) a year from October, plunging millions of households into fuel poverty.