Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

"The energy price crisis risks aggravating the already severe supply chain predicament and could force some firms into a more permanent reduction in their operating capacity, by limiting their ability to fulfil orders and meet customer demand.

“The government must do all it can to safeguard security of supply and ensure that customers and suppliers have access to the support they need to weather this difficult period.

“Longer-term, Government should work with industry to explore how to increase the resilience of our most strategically important supply chains for key resources.”