UK government to allow councils to sever Russian contracts

Councils pushing to break ties had been prohibited from taking non-commercial considerations' into account

The UK government introduced legislation on Thursday to help councils, NHS trusts and other public bodies exit contracts with Gazprom and other Russian companies

Councils have been keen to withdraw from contracts amid concerns they were helping to fund Vladimir Putin's regime. They had been prohibited from taking non-commercial considerations" into account when procuring or terminating contracts, and they have a statutory duty to find the cheapest deal on behalf of the taxpayer.