7 crisis issues erupting in the UK as Boris Johnson flies to the White House

There’s a gas shortage, electricity suppliers going bust, a pork and chicken shortage – and that’s before you even mention the Universal Credit cut for 6million Brits. While Boris Johnson meets a glittering array of world leaders in New York and Washington, here are the biggest fiascos in his in-tray when he gets home

Boris Johnson finally gets to play the statesman this week as he makes his first White House trip as Prime Minister.

The Tory leader touched down last night in New York and is starting a glittering three-days of meetings with world leaders, the US President and the UN General Assembly.

He has set his sights on the big picture – calling for nations to contribute to a £100bn climate pot before October’s COP26 summit in Glasgow.

But he admitted on his Union flag-encrusted plane: “I think getting it all done by COP – six out of ten. It’s going to be tough.”

Vital though these issues are, the PM happens to be flying out at a time when the domestic news agenda has a feeling of crisis.

British families are facing rising gas prices, shrinking benefits, empty shelves and warnings Christmas could be cancelled.

We look at seven of the most pressing issues that will still be in the PM’s in-tray when he gets back.

Electricity and gas suppliers are on the brink of going bust

Ministers held crisis talks all weekend after soaring wholesale gas prices – up 70% since August – threatened to put smaller suppliers out of business.

Officials insist the government will not scrap the energy bills price cap this winter, meaning consumers won’t suddenly see bills double.

But they’re still rising by as much as firms can manage – and even then they could go bust.

Firms could have to be bailed out with government loans or a Special Administrator if they go bust and a larger supplier isn’t willing to take on their customers.

Soaring prices have been blamed on a number of factors, including a cold winter which left stocks depleted, high demand from Asia and a reduction in supplies from Russia.

The UK is running out of chicken and pork

The gas price hike has had a knock-on effect most Brits wouldn’t have imagined.

It’s forced two fertiliser plants to shut in Cheshire and Teesside. Between them those two plants produce the majority of the country’s stock of carbon dioxide (CO2).

That CO2 is used in the slaughter of poultry and pork, and in the packaging of many meats including poultry, pork, beef and lamb.

The chief executive of CF Industries, which owns the two plants, flew from the US to the UK yesterday and held crisis talks with Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng about reopening the plants.

BMPA chief executive Nick Allen told the Mirror: “If we can’t get any CO2 into those plants, if they run out, that is it – they have to stop processing pigs and poultry. Full stop.

He added: “Basically if those slaughter lines stop you’re literally talking about days before you get empty shelves.”

There are warnings Christmas could be cancelled

Empty shelves have been a sporadic problem for months and are about more than just global gas prices.

Ian Wright, outgoing chief executive of the Food and Drink Federation, has warned supply issues that hit supermarkets, Nando’s and McDonald’s are “going to get worse” as the labour market changes after Covid.

Mr Wright said earlier this month: “The UK shopper could have previously expected just about every product they want to be on shelf or in the restaurant all the time.

“That’s over and I don’t think it’s coming back.”

Others have also blamed Brexit immigration rues, which make it harder to recruit lorry drivers from the EU.

The UK has responded by slashing legal requirements to become an HGV driver if you live here and need work.

Industry chiefs have warned the issues could affect the supply of toys, turkeys and more over the Christmas season.

On his plane to New York, Boris Johnson did not rule out the problems lasting for months.

He replied: “It could be faster than that, it could be much faster than that. But there are problems as you know with shipping, with containers, with staff – there are all sorts of problems.”

Tory grandees are set to rebel against the Universal Credit cut

If rising energy prices and the end of furlough on September 30 weren’t enough, 6million Brits are set to be hit by a £20-a-week cut in Universal Credit.

Tory ministers have refused to carry out an impact assessment of the cut – which “bites” between October 13 and November 12 – because it’s reversing a temporary Covid uplift.

But Tory MPs and ex-leader Iain Duncan Smith are among the litany of groups warning the PM to think again.

This afternoon, while the PM’s in New York, Sir Iain will try to force a symbolic vote in Parliament against the cut.

As of Monday morning it was still unclear how many Tories would join him, with a parliamentary source suggesting potential rebels were “sitting on their hands”.

Some immunosuppressed people are struggling to get their Covid jab

Almost three weeks ago, ministers said they would jab half a million people who are severely immunosuppressed for a third time because their first two jabs are unlikely to have worked.

The third jabs are separate to the mass booster programme that was announced for 30million Brits.

Immunosuppressed people are eligible for a third dose, and then also a fourth booster dose.

But despite the announcement on September 2, patients told the Mirror their GPs and consultants were still not formally aware.

Sarah Sleet, CEO of Crohn’s & Colitis UK, said: “People are confused and anxious about what happens next. The Department of Health and Royal Colleges need to work this out quickly to make things clear, especially with the end of furlough on 30th September.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We are working with the NHS to make sure everyone eligible for this third dose receives it as quickly as possible.”

Inflation is through the roof

Inflation surged to 3% in figures published last week, the highest since the beginning of 2012.

That will spark fears that rising prices will leave families behind as public sector wages are frozen and benefits are cut.

It could also squeeze Bank of England interest rates, which have been rock-bottom for so long that much of the mortgage market is dependent on them staying that way.

Petrol prices are at an 8-year high

Petrol pump prices have hit an average of 134.75p a litre, the highest since 2013.

While higher prices might help force some casual drivers off the road, they are a huge deal for those who have no choice but to drive – from delivery firms to the rural poor.

And with a winter of uncertainty over fossil fuel supplies ahead, there is no guarantee that these prices would not rise again.