Britain heading for power cuts next winter, say 60 local authorities

All-party alliance says National Grid needs to act now to fill supply gap, and wants ministers to look at level of carbon taxes

A group representing 60 local authorities has warned that recent closures of large power stations have left Britain heading for power cuts next winter, despite assurances to the contrary from the government.

The Industrial Communities Alliance (ICA), an all-party association of councils from across Britain, said National Grid needed to act immediately to fill the supply gap by sending out new contracts for at least 2,500 megawatts (MW) of additional generating capacity - enough to power 2.5m homes.