Covid-style restrictions must NOT be used to combat energy crisis, pandemic experts warn

The UK has not introduced any of these measures and Labour branded suggestions it would bring in Covid-type restrictions as “nonsense scaremongering”. But experts say it must stick to this course even if the crisis worsens.

They warned any mandates could leave the vulnerable most exposed. “Winter may be coming to an end, but we do not want babies and older people suffering from cold because heating has been turned off too quickly,” one said.

Overseas, countries are continuing to take steps to cut energy use. In Egypt shops and restaurants have been told to close by 9pm each night in April.

Street lights will be dimmed and many have been advised to work from home for at least one day each week. Vietnam, the Phillipines, Thailand and Sri Lanka have introduced measures that include a four-day week and work-from-home restrictions.

Schools have been temporarily closed in some regions of Pakistan and universities have shifted to operating online. Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has drawn direct parallels between the conflict in the Middle East and the pandemic, urging people to remain united as they did with coronavirus.

Experts who were involved in the UK’s pandemic response warned any domestic mandates could be counterproductive. Gentle persuasion about energy usage would be a better course, they said.

One explained: “There will be a temptation to introduce lockdown-style rules to manage energy demand if there is a supply crisis, which there isn't yet. The government should resist this because of the experience of insensitivity to individual circumstances and arbitrary enforcement.

"A few rules may be necessary, like reducing speed limits on motorways so every driver is doing the same thing. Mostly, however, the government should be pointing out how to reduce the need for energy and encouraging people to select from a menu of possible actions according to their own situation.

“Winter may be coming to an end, but we do not want babies and older people suffering from cold because heating has been turned off too quickly."

Lord Brady, who, as head of the Conservative Party’s 1922 Committee between 2010 and 2024, led calls for the removal of “arbitrary rules and limitations on freedom” brought in for Covid, said the Government should not be “too ready to interfere in people’s lives”.

He said: “The government should focus on fulfilling its own responsibilities – notably ensuring security of energy supply. It is all too ready to interfere in people’s lives instead.”

Steve Baker, the former Tory MP who served as deputy chair of the Covid Recovery Group, a collection of politicians which challenged lockdowns, questioned whether the public would comply with future mandates.

He said: “The whole nation tasted appalling restrictions on ordinary life during Covid and we still suffer the consequences. Children, the bereaved and young adults in particular suffered immense harm out of all proportion.”

Mr Baker said he hoped any attempt at a repeat of the Covid rules would be snubbed by the electorate.

He said: “Whether the public will meekly submit again to such tyranny on this pretext is a key test of who we have become.”

Sir Keir Starmer's administration stresses none of the Covid-style measures implemented abroad are UK policy. The country has a “diverse and resilient” supply of energy.

A source commented: “There will not be fuel rationing.”

In a statement, the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero said suggestions mandates might be introduced were “nonsense scaremongering”.

In Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has explicitly ruled out a Covid-level response.

He said: “We will get through this. We are not going down the path of Covid-style mandated demand management measures.”

Mr Albanese announced plans to slash petrol and diesel taxes by half from April until the end of June.

Toby Young, founder of the Free Speech Union whose website, the Daily Sceptic, criticised the Covid reaction, said any attempt at an "energy lockdown" would meet fierce opposition.

He said: "I don't think the public will buy it and plunging Britain into another lockdown to 'protect the pumps' could produce civil unrest."Let's not forget that last time round 'two weeks to flatten the curve' became 18 months."

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