Britain has always cared about the weather, but this week’s “dunkelflaute” – a spell of low temperatures and plummeting wind speeds – shows how vital it is to the economy as well as its conversations.

Britain's gas storage levels are "concerningly low", with less than a week of gas demand in store following a cold snap, Centrica, operator of the country’s largest gas storage site, said on Friday. Britain is heavily reliant on gas for its home heating and also uses a significant amount for electricity generation.

Gas inventory levels have come under added pressure from the cold weather and the end of Russian pipeline supplies through Ukraine.

Britain's gas storage levels are worryingly low, with less than a week's worth of gas in storage after a cold snap, energy company Centrica said on Friday while the government said there was no need for concern.