Manchester City Council spent more than £4 million on contracts with Russian-owned Gazprom
Manchester City Council has spent more than £4 million on contracts with Russian-owned energy firm Gazprom within the last six years, figures reveal.
Provided by data firm Tussell, the figures show the total public sector spend in the UK with Gazprom between 2016 and 2021 was £107 million – and more than a quarter (£29 million) was from local authorities.
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Hide AdManchester City Council accounted for £4.27 million of the spend through contracts with the firm between 2016 and 2021.
The largest annual spend of £1.67 million occurred last year.
Manchester and Suffolk, which also spent more than £4 million within the last six years, were the councils most reliant on Gazprom.
Manchester is among a number of councils across the country to have said they now want to end contracts with the company and explore alternative options, as attacks intensify following the Russian invasion of Ukraine last week.
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Hide AdHundreds of civilians have been killed in the conflict which has been condemned by leaders around the world.
A spokesperson for the Local Government Association said: “Councils are deeply saddened by the tragic events unfolding in Ukraine and are following the situation closely.
“It is up to individual councils to decide how to act locally but, like many organisations, they will be reviewing what action they might want to take in light of UK sanctions and the ongoing situation.”
The LGA added that it is looking at how to bring councils together next week to discuss their plans and agree shared approaches.
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Hide AdMeanwhile, a senior government source told the PA news agency that Health Secretary Sajid Javid has been in talks with NHS England over ending contracts with Gazprom.
The source told PA: “Sajid has spoken with NHS England and been clear that trusts need to stop using Gazprom as a supplier.
“He has also requested a wider review of any Russian role in supply chains across the health service.”
The NHS accounted for £77 million (72%) of the public sector spend with Gazprom over six years.
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Hide AdNewcastle Hospitals Trust topped the list with a spend of £14.9 million, followed by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Trust at £8.1 million and the Countess of Chester Hospital Trust, which spent £5.2 million.
Mr Javid's request comes after Lord Simon Stevens, former head of NHS England, told the House of Lords that “decarbonising the health sector will take pound notes out of the hands of dictatorial regimes that are engaged in acts of aggression”.